Sunlight Oven

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In this activity, learners investigate how the color of a material affects how much sunlight it absorbs and turns into heat. Learners build a simple sunlight oven from a foil-lined box, place pieces of butter on different colors of paper, and observe which colors cause the butter to melt fastest. By making predictions and recording results, learners explore how color can make a difference in how materials respond to sunlight.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
30 to 45 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - adult
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Colored paper: black, white, red, and blue
  • 1 stick of butter at room temperature (do not use margarine or butter alternatives)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Tape
  • Large box
  • Data sheet (included in the activity PDF)
  • Timer
  • Table knife
  • Ruler
  • Pen/pencil
  • Scissors
  • A cool, indoor sunny location
  • (Optional) Cell phone or video camera

Keywords

Subjects

  • Physical Sciences
    • Heat and Thermodynamics
    • Light and Optics
      • Sunlight and Color
    • States of Matter
      • Changes of Phase
  • Earth and Space Science
    • Solar System
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Gathering Data
      • Conducting Investigations
  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Metallurgy and Materials Engineering

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color

Culture, ethnicity, and gender

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Penn State University; The Franklin Institute

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Penn State University, 2021

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, DMR-2011839

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