Solar Heating Project

Due Date: ______No exceptions (Due date for written report will follow)

Specifics:

  • One to two people per project
  • Maximum dimensions: It cannot exceed 55 cm in ANY dimension
  • Total amount of water: one-half gallon
  • Only one energy transfer allowed (sunlight ---> heat)

Grade:

  • 25 points for the project design and performance (15pts design effort, 10 points performance)
  • 35 points for the lab report
  • Total of 60 points (and yes…that is a lot!!!)

Project Overview:

This project is designed to show your understanding of the principles of solar energy as a renewable resource. You are to build a solar collector that will be placed outside in the school yard during a sunny day in February in order to gain energy from the sun. Materials are to be collected and supplied by the members of the group.

You are allowed only one energy exchange; sunlight to heat. You may not have the energy of the sun take on any other form in between, such as solar cells, mechanical energy, or any chemical reaction.

You may use any materials you choose as long as they are not designed primarily as a solar collector. Reflecting light or magnifying light is acceptable since there is no exchange of energy into another form. You may heat up another substance that will transfer its heat to the water in the system.

You will be allowed exactly one-half gallon of water in your system. You must use all the water and it must be filled in class on the day the projects go outside. The water must be directly poured into your projects using the container from the class. You have a maximum of five minutes to fill up your project. There must be a storage space for the water that can be easily accessible to measure the temperature at the end of the day, such as a lid that a thermometer can be dipped into after it is removed.

***You need to take a DIGITAL PICTURE of your project for your lab report. DO NOT FORGET THIS!!!

***Allow for the expansion of the water since it will most likely FREEZE overnight.

***Make sure your project is heavy enough so it DOES NOT TIP OVER or parts blow away! It may get very windy? Think sturdiness, as well as functionality!!!

***Your name must be in large writing in a very visible place on your heater. If I can’t see it right away, you will not be eligible for extra points.

Project scores will be determined in comparison to all the other students in your level based on the temperature measured by a thermometer on the day of the trial. All the projects must be tested on the same day so all projects must be handed in either before or on the due date. Projects cannot be accepted after this date for any reason. The top three projects in each class will be awarded extra points: +5 for first, +3 for second, +1 for third.

Lab ReportGuidelines

Format: Must be typed, and double spaced, bold headings and NO PRONOUNS!!!

Title: Summarize this project in a phrase. “Solar Project” is a bad title! Who, what, when, where, why!

Introduction:

  • Write a one paragraph description thatclearly explains what solar heating is,
  • Explain the 2 types of solar heating,
  • How solar heating relates to this project, and what type of solar heating (from above) is used
  • This should be in your own words!!! Not copied and pasted from Uncle Jim Bob’s Solar Heater Website!!!

Purpose/objective/hypothesis:

  • Explain the logic behind the design you chose in terms of the several principles of designing an effective solar collector.
  • Create a hypothesis predicting the increase in temperature of the water within ten degrees Celsius compared to the control. The control will be an ordinary bucket of water. This hypothesis should be based on your design principles.
  • Discuss any problems that you will need to overcome or foresee occurring in the running of this experiment and how will you overcome them in your design.

Materials:

  • List IN BULLETS all materials used in the assembly of this project.
  • Be precise in the amounts and dimensions of the materials used so that someone could take this list and assemble you device themselves.

Procedure for assembly:

  • Numerically list the steps for assembling this device as if it were an instruction manual.
  • Be sure to include a drawing/diagram of your device when it is completed.
  • Also describe the alignment you propose to use when it is set up outside.

Data:

In a TALBLE, list your temperature result in Celsius and the net difference between the control and your data.

Conclusions:

  • Have an introductory sentence.
  • Make sure you restate your hypothesis and discuss your results explaining why it was correct or not.
  • Explain why your device worked as expected or did not.
  • You will consult the various components (7 of them!) necessary for an effective solar heater that we will discuss in class.
  • Be sure to include any problems encountered and any unexpected surprises that may have occurred during the running of the experiment.
  • What could you do to make your project better

References:

Be sure to include the source of any information you received throughout the construction and implementation of your device such as the names of individuals, books, periodicals, Internet, etc. that you consulted.