Colour affects heat absorbtion

Equipment:

• 3 identical tin cans, painted different colours (one dark, one medium, one light) - with lids.
• 3 thermometers
• a heat source such as a bar heater

Method:

Record the starting temperature inside each can.

Place a thermometer inside each can and close the lid.

Stand the cans 30cm to 50cm from the heat source.

Every 2 minutes, open each can and record the temperature shown on the thermometer inside. Quickly reseal the cans and place them back near the heat source.

Enter the data on a recording sheet.

• Which colour appears to be the best absorber of heat?
  
• Can you think why this is? (white is where most frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum are reflected back by an object, and black when most are absorbed).
  
• Make the results into a simple graph with your class.