Solar EnergyAMSTI

5th GradeYear Two Science Training

Introductory Activity

With the people at your table, discuss how the sun affects our lives.

Use chart paper to record your thoughts. Try to use words and illustrations

in your response. Be creative!

Shadow Play

Discussion questions:1. What is a shadow?2. What do you need in order to have a

shadow?3. Do you have one all the time?4. What would happen to your shadow if

you stood in the same spot all day?

Question

How does your shadow look at

different times of the day?

Hypothesis/Prediction

Throughout the day, I predict that my shadow looks…

Plan/Procedure For this activity, we will be going outside, and

you will be working with a partner. Each pair will need to spread out so their

shadows are not overlapping. Also, think about buildings and trees that might overshadow the spot where you are working throughout the day.

Take turns tracing each other’s shadow. Write your name and the time of day inside your shadow.

We will repeat this process 2-3 more times throughout the day.

Results/Data

Record the changes your observe in your

shadow.

Results/Data

Your shadow changed in two ways:

1. Shape (what it looks like)2. Orientation (direction it points)

Conclusion

In complete sentences, explain the following

question:

Why did your shadows change shape and

orientation?

Vocabulary

Shadow -the dark area created by an object that

blocks light

Orientation -a position or arrangement in relation to

another position or location

Content and Inquiry

1. How did you create a shadow when you were outside?

2. How did your afternoon shadow compare to your morning shadow?

3. Why did your shadow change shape and orientation?

Content and Inquiry

1. How did you create a shadow when you were outside?

Opaque objects, like bodies, block light from the Sun, creating a shadow behind the object.2. How did your afternoon shadow compare to your

morning shadow?The shape and orientation of shadows change as the day progresses.3. Why did your shadow change shape and orientation?The orientation and shape of outdoor shadows change because the position of the Sun changes continuously.

Shadow Tracking

Discussion questions:1. When you know the location of the

light source, like this ruler, where will its shadow fall?

2. Can you use a shadow to predict the position of the Sun?

Question

How can you tell where the Sun is by looking at a

shadow?

Hypothesis/Prediction

I predict that I can use a shadow to tell the position of

the Sun by…

Shadow Trackers

Materials Needed: Piece of cardboard Tape Shadow Tracker sheet Golf tee

Shadow Trackers

Procedure for Construction:1. Tape the Shadow Tracker sheet to

the piece of cardboard. Make sure that the bottom of the sheet is level against the bottom of the cardboard.

2. Glue a golf tee on the circle at the intersection of the N-S and E-W lines.

3. Wait for the glue to dry.

Shadow Trackers

Using the Shadow Tracker:1. Place the tracker on level ground in the

sun.2. Use a compass to orient the tracker north-

south. Draw a chalk line around it.3. Observe the shadow cast by the golf tee.

Mark the tip of the shadow with a dot.4. Write the time by the dot.5. Repeat steps 3-4 every hour.

Using A Compass When we get outside, your group will need

to orient your Shadow Tracker and compass, making sure the N-S line on the sheet aligns with the N-S line on the compass. Use tape to stick the compass to the compass rose on the Shadow Tracker.

Remember, the painted end of the compass always faces north. Place the compass dial over the needle, lining up the center circles. Line the dial up so that north matches the north end of the needle.

Plan/Procedure

For this activity, we will be going outside, and you will be working with a partner.

1. Orient your Shadow Tracker and compass, then tape the compass onto the compass rose.

2. Trace the outline of your Shadow Tracker.3. Record a dot at the top of your first shadow

and write the time.4. Repeat step 4 every hour throughout the

day.

Results/Data

1. Did every group get a similar pattern?2. What would happen if we went out

tomorrow and did the same thing? Why?

Conclusion

In complete sentences, explain the following

question:

How can you tell where the Sun is by looking

at your shadow?

Shadow Tracking Extension

When I turn the lights in the classroom off, use a

flashlight to reproduce the shadows recorded on your

Shadow Tracker.

Vocabulary

Compass -an instrument used to determine direction; the

needle in a compass always points to magnetic north

Sun -a star around which Earth and other planets revolve;

it furnishes heat, light, and energy

Direction -the course or line along which something moves,

lies, or points

Vocabulary

Revolve/Orbit -the path, usually an elliptical shape, one object takes

around another

Rotate -to rotate on a center point

Axis -the line, usually imaginary, around which an object,

like Earth, rotates

Content and Inquiry

1. How can you tell where the Sun is by

looking at a shadow?2. Why did the shadows change as the

day progressed?

Content and Inquiry

1. How can you tell where the Sun is by looking at a shadow?

The Sun is always on the opposite side of the object creating the shadow.

2. Why did the shadows change as the day progressed?

The Sun’s position in the sky changes. The higher the Sun in the sky, the shorter the shadows are.

Question

How does the thermometer act

when placed in the Sun, then in the

shade?

Hypothesis

When a thermometer is moved from the

sun to the shade, I predict it will…

Vocabulary

Thermometer -A thermometer is a thin glass tube filled

with colored alcohol. As the alcohol warms, it expands and travels up the tube. When the alcohol cools, it contracts and goes back down the tube. To use the thermometer, you put the bulb in the fluid (liquid or gas) to be measured for temperature.

Using A Thermometer

With your group, complete the following activities:

1. Determine the temperature at your desk.

2. Find a location in the room that is warmer.

3. Find a location in the room that is cooler.

Using A Thermometer

Discussion questions:1. What is the best way to hold a

thermometer to measure the room temperature?

2. How long does it take for the alcohol in the tube to reach the temperature of its surroundings?

Thermometers in the Sun and Shade

Each group will need to construct the following tool to collect temperature measurements in the sun and shade:

1. Tape the Thermometer in the Sun and Shade sheet to a piece of cardboard.

2. Tape the thermometer to the sheet.

Results/Data

Each group will record their data on their Thermometer in the Sun and Shade sheet, but you will also need to copy the chart in your lab notebook.

When we get back to the classroom, we will calculate the temperature changes.

Results/Data

1. At what elapsed time was the temperature the highest? Lowest?

2. What happens to the temperature outside when the Sun goes down?

Conclusion

In complete sentences, explain the following question:

How does the thermometer act when

placed in the sun, then in the shade?

Vocabulary

Thermometer -A tool to measure temperature

Elapsed time -The difference between a starting time

and an ending time

Content and Inquiry

1. What did you observe about temperatures in sunlight and shade?

Temperature in the sunlight is usually higher than temperature in the shade.

Question

What will happen when the Earth materials, sand, dry

soil, wet soil, and water, are placed in the sun, then in

the shade?

Prediction/Hypothesis

For this activity, each group will test a different Earth material, then we will share our results.

I predict the Earth material, __________, will ____________________________ as it moves from the sun to the shade.

Heating Earth Materials

Discussion questions:1. What will happen to these Earth

materials when they are placed in the sun?

2. Will the temperature change be the same in all materials?

3. What will happen when they are placed in the shade?

Heating Earth Materials

Preparing for the measurements:1. Put 100 ml of your Earth material in

the clear disk. 2. Cover the disk with a lid and

thermometer.3. Tape the Earth Materials in Sun and

Shade sheet to the cardboard.

Results/Data

Each group will record their data on their Earth Materials in Sun and Shade sheet, but you will also need to copy the chart in your lab notebook.

When we get back to the classroom, we will calculate the temperature changes.

Class Results/Data

Copy the following chart into your lab notebook:

Temperature Change in Sun

0 min 3 min 6 min 9 min 12 min Temp. Change

Sand 22 35 40 42 45 23Water 22 26 28 30 32 10Dry Soil

22 36 43 46 47 25

Wet Soil

22 32 39 42 45 23

Class Results/Data

Copy the following chart into your lab notebook:

Temperature Change in Shade

15 min 18 min 21 min 24 min Temp. Change

Sand 40 36 35 35 5Water 31 31 30 30 1Dry Soil

43 37 35 33 10

Wet Soil

42 38 37 35 7

Conclusion

In complete sentences, explain the following question:

How does the amount of sun and shade affect the

temperature of Earth materials, sand, water, dry soil, and wet soil?

Vocabulary

Earth Material -A nonliving substance that makes up or

comes from the earth

Energy transfer -The change of energy from one form to

another, or the movement of energy from one object to another

Vocabulary

Heat sink -A material, such as water, that can absorb a

large amount of heat for its volume and release energy slowly

Solar Energy -Energy from the Sun; this energy takes several

forms, including visible light and infrared light that can be felt as heat

Content and Inquiry

1. Which materials cooled down the fastest and which the slowest?

2. What properties are shared by the earth materials that heated up and cooled down the most?

3. What would happen to the temperature of the sand if you added water to it?

Content and Inquiry

1. Which materials cooled down the fastest and which the slowest?

The dry soil cooled down the fastest; water cooled down more slowly.

2. What properties are shared by the earth materials that heated up and cooled down the most?

Both were solid, dry earth materials

3. What would happen to the temperature of the sand if you added water to it?

It might not heat up as much.

Color and Absorption

Discussion questions:1. How do you use hot water?2. Which do you think uses the most hot

water? (Rank your items from #1)3. How is the water heated?4. How could solar energy be used to

heat water?

“Collector”

All solar water heaters use some kind of “collector” to soak up the Sun’s energy.

What did we use as “collectors” in the last investigation?

sand, soil, and water

Question

What makes the best solar water

heater?

Prediction/Hypothesis

I predict the ___________ container will make the best solar water heater because

_______________________.

Use one of the following choices to complete your hypothesis:

a. White coveredb. White uncoveredc. Black covered

d. Black uncovered

Preparing the Solar Water Heaters

Each group needs the Solar Water Heaters sheet, and each student needs the Solar Water Heaters: Class Chart.

Tape the Solar Water Heaters sheet to your cardboard.

Line your container with the colored plastic, then fill it with 100 ml of water.

Depending on your group’s assignment, either cover it and add the thermometer, or just add the thermometer. Make sure the bulb is in the water.

Results/Data

Your group will record their data on their Solar Water Heaters sheet, and when we get back to the classroom, we will compile our class data on the Solar Water Heaters: Class Chart.

Graph

As a class, we will complete the Solar Energy Graph

for Color and Absorption.

Color and Absorption

Reflection questions:1. What did you notice when you felt the black and

white squares that were exposed to the sun? Try to explain why this happened.2. How do you think the black collector makes the

water hotter?3. How do you think the covered container makes

the water hotter?4. How do you think energy absorbed by the black

plastic heats the water?5. What do you think is the best design for a solar

water heater? What is your evidence?

Conclusion

In complete sentences, explain why the

________________made the best solar water

heater.

Vocabulary

Absorb -to take up, soak in, or capture (black plastic

absorbs the Sun’s energy)

Reflect -to bounce back (white plastic reflects the Sun’s

energy)

Solar Collector -a material used to capture solar energy in a

water heater or other device

Content and Inquiry

1. What is it about the black plastic that caused the water to heat up the most?

2. What could have caused the solar water heater with the lid to heat up more that the open solar water heater?

Content and Inquiry

1. What is it about the black plastic that caused the water to heat up the most?

Black plastic absorbs solar energy, which it transfers to the water by contract.

2. What could have caused the solar water heater with the lid to heat up more that the open solar water heater?

A cover keeps the heat inside the container.

Question

What affect does the surface area of a solar collector have on the rate and amount of

temperature change in a solar water heater?

Prediction/Hypothesis

I predict the surface area of a solar collector will affect

the rate and amount of temperature change in a solar water heater by…

Preparing the Solar Water Heaters with Various Collector Sizes

Each group will test a different size collector: large, medium, small, and none (zero).

Tape your collector to the white side of your piece of cardboard.

Use a syringe to put 200 ml of water in a ziploc bag. Put a thermometer in the bag of water. Lay the bag down and gently let the air out of the bag before sealing it.

Place the bag on top of the collector that is taped to the cardboard.

To read the temperatures, pick up the bag at the zipper end, wait a few seconds for the water to mix, and read the thermometer through the bag.

Results/DataWhile we are outside, your group is responsible for their own data,

and when we get inside, you will share your data with your classmates. Copy the following chart into your lab notebook:

Units of Area

0 min. 5 min. 10 min. 15 min. 20 min.

Zero 15 20 22 24Small 14 19 22 24Medium 16 21 24 27Large 19 21 23 26

Graph

As a class, we will complete the Solar Energy Graph for Surface-Area Effect.

Surface-Area Effect

Discussion questions:1. Is there a relationship between the

surface area of a collector in a solar water heater and the temperature of the water?

2. What would you change in your water heater design to make the water even hotter?

Conclusion

In complete sentences, explain the effect the surface area of a solar

collector has on the rate and amount of temperature

change in a solar water heater.

Vocabulary

Surface area -the total surface of an object; for a

rectangle or square surface it equals length times width

Content and Inquiry

1. What effect does the surface area of a solar collector have on the rate and amount of temperature change in a solar water heater?

Content and Inquiry

1. What effect does the surface area of a solar collector have on the rate and amount of temperature change in a solar water heater?

Larger collector surface areas cause the water to heat up more and faster.

Solar Houses

Discussion questions:1. What kinds of energy do you use on a

typical day?2. What are some of the things you use

that energy for?

Nonrenewable and Renewable Resources

Many of the fuels we use to generate energy to heat our homes are

nonrenewable fossil fuels, such as gas, coal, and oil.

Nonrenewable means that once you have used it, it cannot be replaced.

Question

How will the orientation of your house affect how warm the house

gets?

Prediction/Hypothesis

The orientation of our house will affect how

warm it gets by…

Procedure

1. As a class, construct solar house.2. Tape the thermometer so that it is easily

readable without the bulb in the direct sunlight.3. When we go outside, we will go the shade

first, wait one minute, then take our 1st reading.

4. Then, we will put the solar houses in the sun for 15 minutes and record the temperature at 5 minute intervals.

5. Lastly, we will put the solar houses in the shade for 15 minutes and record the temperature at 5 minute intervals.

Results/Data

Your group will record their data for house 1 on their Space Heating sheet, and when we get back to the classroom, your “partner group” will share their data for house 2 on the Space Heating sheet.

Conclusion

In complete sentences, explain your answer to the following

question:

How did orientation affect space heating of the solar

houses?

Vocabulary

Space heating -the transfer of heat energy to air in an

enclosed space