All Science Fair Projects

Purpose: To collect and store solar energy.


Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Purpose:

The purpose of the following experiment is to demonstrate that energy from the
sun can be collected and stored in many ways.

Materials:

* one plastic bottle painted white
* one plastic bottle painted black
* several small balloons

Procedures:

The experiment is performed with the two plastic bottles. The teacher will note
one bottle is painted black and the other is painted white. Place the open end
of one small balloon on the mouth of the white bottle and do the same for the
black bottle. Make sure the balloon forms an air tight seal. Now place both
bottles in bright sunlight.

Result:

Within a few minutes, the balloon on the black bottle will start to expand. The
balloon of the white bottle will remain limp. The black bottle is warm. The
white bottle is
much cooler than the black bottle.

Conclusion:

The black bottle will absorb the sun's energy much better. The
white bottle reflects away most of the sun's energy. As the bottle absorbs
energy, the air inside the bottle warms up and expands making the balloon full
with air.