Build a better baker: Using the sun's energy to cook
Objective
To build awareness of solar energy by observing and comparing how well different solar ovens bake apple slices.
Materials
Apple slices; four paper cups; aluminum foil; unwaxed white paper; black paper; plastic food wrap; scissors; tape; newspaper.
Procedure
Line the inside of two paper cups with black paper. Place a slice of apple in each cup. Cover the cups tightly with plastic food wrap. Make two large cones with paper and tape one with white paper lined with aluminum foil and one with white paper only. Place an apple cup inside each cone. Place each cone inside a second cup to hold the cooker together. Aim the cookers at the sun. Crumple newspapers around the bases of the outside cups. When the apples look cooked, taste to see which cooker was the best apple baker.
Other ideas to explore
Repeat the experiment with other foods, such as potatoes. Try the experiment using mylar instead of aluminum foil.
Source: Science Activities in Energy, Elementary Edition, The Arizona Energy Office of the Arizona Department of Commerce.
