Radiant heat travels in the form of waves. No physical contact between objects is needed to transfer heat by radiation. Students will fill black, white, and silver cans with water, and observe the temperature change in the water when the cans are placed under a bright lamp. The cans are being heated by radiation, and the color of the outer finish of the cans determines the efficiency with which they absorb the heat energy. The white and silver cans reflect most of the rays that strike them (visible and non-visible), so they will heat much more slowly than the black can.
Required Equipment
Radiation Cans, Student Thermometer, Stop Watch, Heat Lamp or Bulb Base 200 Watts with Bulb.
Download Teacher Notes and Student Worksheets
The "Heat Lamp" required for this lab is readily available at your local hardware store. If you instead choose to use the 200 Watt Bulb Base than it is necessary to obtain a 200 watt bulb which can be found at your local hardware or convenience store.
