PASCO ET-8593 Energy Transfer Solar - Manual (Page 5)

Energy Transfer - Solar Model No. ET-8593
4 ®
Introduction
The Energy Transfer-Solar box (ET-8593) can be used for
demonstrating the concept of solar heating, including the greenhouse
effect.
Equipment Description
a) Plastic Cover
The clear, plastic cover snaps onto the Solar box and acts as insulator
to isolate and trap air inside, reduce convection currents, and
demonstrate the greenhouse effect. The cover is very transparent to
visible light but not infrared light.
b)Aluminum Plate
The aluminum plate is painted a non-reflective flat black that absorbs
light very well. The hot aluminum plate re-radiates in the far infrared
region, and thus the heat energy is trapped under the cover.
The reverse side of the aluminum plate is not painted. The plate can be
flipped inside the box to study differences in solar heating and/or
cooling between the aluminum and black surfaces. The aluminum
plate can be removed to measure its mass. The white, plastic knob also
serves as an indicator for the sun’s angle. When the sun is
perpendicular to the aluminum plate, no indicator shadow appears on
the plate.
c) Solar Box
The Solar Box holds the aluminum plate and plastic cover. On the side
of the box is a rod clamp for mounting the box to a rod stand. When
mounted to a rod stand, the box can be adjusted to the sun’s angle.
d) Thermistor
Inside the Solar Box is a 10K thermistor for measuring temperature.
The thermistor cables are not removable from the box. The thermistor
contact (metal lug) is fastened in the center, on the underside of the
aluminum plate. The side jacks on the Solar Box allow you to connect
a Temperature Sensor or ohmmeter to the thermistor.
Note: The thermistor’s
temperature range is -35
o
C
to +135
o
C (242,800 to 265
ohms).