Three Radiation Cans Demo
Data from Three Radiation Cans demo
Three Radiation Cans Demo

 

Code Number: 4B50.17

Demo Title: Three Radiation Cans - Different Color Surfaces

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Thermoradiation vs. Color

Area of Study: Thermodynamics

Equipment: 

Sliver, White and Black Cans, LabQuest Mini with Three Thermometers, Hotplate, Beaker, Gloves, Funnel, Three Digital Thermometers (If needed), Three Bead Thermocouples (If Needed), and Graduated Cylinder.

Procedure:

Fill the silver, white, and black colored cans with boiling water.  Insert the three thermometers and then start the data collection.  Note that this will take at least 30 minutes of class time to complete the collection.  The silver can should have a slower rate of radiation cooling than the white or black cans.  The white and black cans should give almost identical cooling curves.

You may also do this experiment using themometer meters instead of using the interface.  In this instance you will need to keep a log of the temperature at regular intervals to manually plot your data.

The demonstration can also be performed in reverse.  Fill the cans with tap water and then place them into direct sunlight while monitoring the temperature increase of each can.  Note that this process will normally take several hours to collect the data.

References:

  • Dennis Fung, "The 'Chocolate Experiment' - A Demonstration of Radiation Absorption by Different Colored Surfaces", TPT, Vol. 53, #9, Dec. 2015, p. 545.
  • E.G. Eaton, Richard DeGeer, and Phyllis Freier, "The Solar Constant: A Take Home Lab", TPT, Vol. 42, #1, Jan. 2004, p. 51 and TPT, Vol. 15, # 3, March 1977, p. 51.
  • Don McCarthy, "Figuring Radiative Efficiency", TPT, Vol. 40, #5, May 2002, p. 325.
  • "Figuring Physics", TPT, Vol. 40, # 5, May. 2002, p. 314.
  • Richard A. Bartels, "Do Darker Objects Really Cool Faster?", AJP, Vol. 58, #3, Mar. 1990, p. 244.
  • Tik L. Liem, "Which Coin Will Stay Longer", Invitations to Science Inquiry - Supplement to 1st and 2nd Ed. p. 82.
  • Julius Sumner Miller, Q79 & A79, Millergrams I – Some Enchanting Questions for Enquiring Minds, p. 51 & 103.