RADIATION (ABSORBTION) EXPERIMENT
QUESTION: Which container will feel the warmest after 10 minutes near a heater?
Always have an adult help with your experiment.
MATERIALS
Shiny metal container
Dull metal container
Dull black container
Shiny black container
Warm water
Heater (space heater)
PROCEDURE
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Obtain containers of similar size and shape (smaller containers are better).
Pour the same amount of water (room temperature) into each container.
Place heater equal distant from each of the containers.
Wait 10 minutes.
Document which container is the warmest by touching the container.
Document which container is the coolest by touching the container.
Answer experiment questions.
EXPERIMENT QUESTIONS:
1. Which container would be the warmest after 10 minutes because its surface
absorbs heat radiation the best?
2. Which container would be the coolest because it is the poorest at absorbing heat
radiation?
RADIATION QUESTIONS – DO YOU KNOW WHY?
1. Why are houses painted white in HOT countries?
2. Why are shiny foil blankets wrapped around marathon runners at the end of a
race?