Does Colour Affect Heat Absorption, 2016 Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize Primary Highly Commended
Testing Color Impact on Heat Absorption
Experiment Overview
- The experiment aims to investigate how different colors affect heat absorption in water.
- Six glasses will be coated with various colored construction paper, filled with water, and left outside for two hours.
- The starting temperature of the water will be measured before exposure to sunlight.
Methodology
- Each piece of construction paper is cut to fit the dimensions of the glasses (24.8 cm by 10 cm).
- Glasses are wrapped individually with different colored papers, ensuring each cup has a unique color.
- 100 mL of room temperature water (initially at 20°C) is poured into each glass for measurement.
Hypothesis
- The hypothesis posits that the black glass will absorb more heat than others due to prior experiences indicating that darker colors retain heat better.
Results After Two Hours
- After two hours, temperatures recorded were:
- Clear: 22°C
- Black: 34°C
- White: 20°C
- Red: 26°C
- Yellow: 23°C
- Blue: 30°C
Analysis of Results
- The results indicate that black absorbs all light wavelengths and converts them into heat effectively, leading to the highest temperature increase.
- In contrast, white reflects all light wavelengths, resulting in minimal heat absorption and lower temperatures compared to darker colors.