Description

In a solar water heater, water passes through a collector, usually on a roof, where it is heated by the sun. In order to attain the highest temperature possible, the collector is painted black and insulated. Solar collectors can also be used to heat homes and buildings, and power industrial processes. This experiment shows how sunlight can be used to heat water. Students will build a thermosiphoning water heater, modeled after home solar water heaters.

Time Required: one 45-minute class period to build the water heater; two to three hours to heat the water

Language: English