Science, Technology

Solar Energy

5-6

Students will be able to:
List ways solar energy is being used today.
Construct two solar cookers and test both to find which generates the most heat.
Record and graph the temperatures of each of the solar cookers using the temperature probes.

Power to operate the space station will come from the Sun’s energy. This energy will be produced by eight solar arrays on the station that can produce 110 kilowatts of power. Of the power produced, half of it charges the nickel-hydrogen batteries on the Space Station so that they will have power when the station is not in the sunlight. The other half of the electricity will be used to power the labs and living quarters. Solar power is also used here on Earth to heat homes, dry clothes, power calculators, cook food, and heat water.
In this activity, students will build solar cookers and will use energy from the Sun to cook apple slices in them. They will measure and compare temperatures and cooking times for each of the solar cookers.

Essential Question
How can sunlight be converted to energy?

Preparation & Management:
1. Students will assemble each of the solar cookers.
2. Students will then place the cookers in the sun, placing the probe in the cone and measure the temperature. They will collect the data by clicking on the green arrow in the upper left hand corner of the EZ- Screen software and allowing the probe to run for ten minutes.
3. Once the graph has run for ten minutes they will click on the stop sign in the upper left hand corner of the EZ-Screen software to stop the first run. After this they need to remove the probe from the first cooker and place it in the second cooker and repeat step two.
4. Students will observe the temperature from each cooker and determine which cooker would do the best job of cooking. Use care when removing the plastic wrap because it will be very hot.
5. Once students have collected all of the temperatures for both of the solar cookers, have them compare and contrast the results from both cookers.

Transfer & Extension:

1. Use the voltage probe and solar cells to test each of the solar collectors to see which one collects the most solar energy.


2. View the video hook Unfolding the Solar Arrays.

1. Use the directions below to assemble each of the solar cookers.
2. Then, place the cookers in the sun, placing the probe in the cone, and measure the temperature. You should collect the data by clicking on the green arrow in the upper right hand corner of the EZ- Screen software. Allow the probe to run for ten minutes.
3. Once the graph has run for ten minutes click on the stop sign in the upper left-hand corner of the EZ-Screen software to stop the first run. Now remove the probe from the first cooker and place it in the second cooker and repeat step two. Use care when removing the plastic wrap because it will be very hot.

4. Observe the temperature from each cooker and determine which cooker would do the best job of cooking. Once you have collected all of the temperatures for both of the solar cookers compare and contrast the results from both cookers.

Solar Cooker #1
1. Cover the top of the cup with plastic wrap. Use a rubber band to hold the plastic wrap in place.
2. Make a large cone using the white paper.
3. Wrap the cone around the plastic cup. Tape it in place.
4. Line the foam cup with black construction paper and tape it in place.
5. Set the plastic cup with the cone inside the foam cup.
6. Place the temperature probe into the cone.

Solar Cooker #2
1. Cover the top of the cup with plastic wrap. Use a rubber band to hold the plastic wrap in place.
2. Cover a sheet of the white paper with aluminum foil. Staple the foil to the paper.
3. Make a large cone using the foil and paper. The foil should be on the inside of the cone and the glossy side of the foil should be facing out.
4. Wrap the cone around the plastic cup. Tape it in place.
5. Line the foam cup with black construction paper and tape it in place.
6. Set the plastic cup with the cone inside the foam cup.
7. Place the temperature probe into the cone.

Students will work collaboratively. Students will work in groups of 4.

3 class periods. 1 Hr per class.

Materials:
Per student:
• 2 pieces of plastic wrap
• 2 large foam cups
• 2 clear plastic cups (plastic cups must fit inside of the foam cups)
• Tape
• 2 temperature probes
• 1 pair of scissors
• 2 rubber bands
• 2 sheets of white paper
• 1 sheet of black paper
• 1 piece of aluminum foil
• Colored markers

Technology:
Pasco Temperature Probe
Interface
Probe Software
Lap tops