Shine a powerful flashlight on a variety of materials, and measure how quickly each material heats up. See how the light angle, light color, type of material, and material color affect heating. A glass cover can be added to simulate a greenhouse.
Click on the correct answer
Click on the correct answer
Gizmo Warm-up
In the Heat Absorption Gizmo, a powerful flashlight can shine on a variety of materials.
Make sure that the Light color is set to White.
Drag the Wood under the beam of light. What do you notice?
What is the color of the light that is reflected off the wooden block?
Observe:
Drag the flashlight to several different angles. When is the light beam most concentrated on the piece of wood?
Experiment: For each angle listed below, record the final temperature of the wood after 3 hours of heating with the flashlight.
Draw conclusions:
Why did increasing the angle of the beam of light cause the wood to heat up more?
Apply: St. Louis, Missouri, is located near the middle of the United States.
On June 21, the noon Sun rays hit St. Louis at an angle of 75°.
On December 21, the noon Sun rays hit at an angle of 28°.
How will this affect the temperature in St. Louis on these dates?
Observe:
Drag the red brick under the flashlight beam. Try three different Light colors: red, blue, and green.
Red
Blue
Green
What color(s) reflect off a red brick?
What colors of light are absorbed by the brick?
Collect data: Heat the red, green, and blue bricks under each color of light. Record results.
Have the light at a 75o angle
Extend your thinking:
White light is a combination of red, green, and blue light.
Why is it cooler to wear a white shirt on a sunny day than a black shirt?
Experiment:
Using white light, heat up each of the following substances for 3 hours
Set angle to 75o
No Glass
For the change in temperature take
Final Temperature - Initial Temperature
Based on the results, which 2 substances do you think reflected the most light?
Experiment:
Using white light, heat up each of the following substances for 3 hours
Set angle to 75o
Click on Add glass cover
For the change in temperature take
Final Temperature - Initial Temperature
Extend your thinking: Why is it dangerous to leave an infant or pet in a car on a sunny day with the windows rolled up?
Answer the 5 questions below the gizmo. Take a screenshot of your score and paste it below.