Solar EnergyIB Group 4 Project

By

Ben Ruktantichoke

Kristin Coad

Claudine Torres

Emilio Solomon

Introduction

How does changing the color of an aluminum affect the

rate of temperature increase of water inside the can?

Theory

Materials

• Laptop

• Aluminum cans

• Timer

• Paint

• Paint brushes

• Thermometers

• Photo-spectrometer

• Tap water

• Tray

Procedure

• Paint six different cans in different colors

• Fill the cans with tap water

• Place one thermometer in each can

• Place the cans in direct sunlight

• Record the initial temperature of the water

• Record temperatures in two minute intervals for 20 minutes

• Repeat for three trials

Diagram Set-up

Water

Aluminum Cans

Thermometers

Sun

Timer

Diagram Set-upActual Representation

Photo-Spectrometer Graph

Total Intensity vs. Average Temperature Rate for each Color

Color Total Intensity Reflected(W/m²)

Average Temperature Rate(ºC/min)

±0.07

Black 00.6 0.25

Green 05.3 0.23

Red 13.1 0.18

Orange 20.7 0.18

Yellow 31.7 0.19

White 74.4 0.16

Conclusion & Evaluation

• The brighter the color of can is, the greater intensity reflected upon the aluminum cans.

• Intensity Reflected.

• By changing the color of the aluminum can, the average temperature rate decreases.