Research Plan

Research Plan

Gabriella Acosta 8knotts1 11/8/2009

The goal of this project is to see how the color of an object effects how much heat it absorbs when exposed to incandescent light. Hypothesis: I think that the darker colors like black and red will absorb more light then the lighter colors. My explanation for this reasoning is that dark objects like black absorb all visible wavelengths about equally. The lighter colors can only absorb long wavelengths of light. So this means that at the end the darker colors will absorb more heat then the lighter ones. Procedures: I will be drilling a hole slightly larger than the diameter of a thermometer in the lid of one jar.(In this project I will be testing 8 identical jars at a time, so I will be using the same lid for each jar.) Then I need to tightly wrap each jar with a different color of construction paper. Afterwards I will carefully fill each jar with water, trying to keep the construction paper dry. Each jar will need to have the same starting temperature for the water. When I am ready to start I will cover the jar to be tested with the lid with the drilled hole. Put the thermometer in through the hole so that its bulb is completely immersed in water. I would need to place clay around the thermometer so it will seal the hole and hold the thermometer in place.(The rest of the thermometer will be out of the jar so I can take readings.) I then need to set up my heat lamp in a convenient location, so that it can shine directly at the side of a jar placed 30 cm. away.(I will be placing each of the 8 identical jars the same distance away.) I will leave the jar in front of the lamp for 30 min. and check the temperature when that time has elapsed. Bibliography: 1) Journal article Hoff, K. Mellendorf and V. Calder, date unknown. "Reflection and Absorption," NEWTON Ask a Scientist, Physics Archive, Argonne National Laboratory, Division of Educational Programs [accessed February 23, 2007] http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00232.htm. 2) High school reference Henderson, T., 2004. "Color and Vision," The Physics Classroom, Glennbrook South High School, Glennbrook, IL [accessed February 23, 2007] http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PHYS/Class/light/u12l2a.html. 3) Online Chapter for a course Schroeder, D.V., 2003. "Radiant Energy," online chapter for the course, 'Energy, Entropy, and Everything,' Physics Department, Weber State University [accessed February 23, 2007] http://physics.weber.edu/schroeder/eee/chapter6.pdf. 4) Online website -

ACEPT W3 Group, 2005. "Sources of Light: The Sun and Lamps," Department of Physics and Astronomy, Arizona State University [accessed February 23, 2007] http://acept.asu.edu/PiN/rdg/color/source.shtml. 5) Online website The visible spectrum illustration in the Introduction is from: Abrisa Glass & Coatings, 2005. "Understanding Light and Color," Abrisa Glass & Coatings [accessed March 5, 2007] http://www.abrisa.com/guide/understandinglight/light.spectrum.asp.