Passive Solar House: Part 1

Name: ______Date: ______

Objective: To test which materials will be most efficient in holding solar heat overtime.

Possible materials to test: 1. Walls - cardboard, styrofoam, foam board, card stock, wood. 2. Flooring - cardboard, dark or light linoleum or ceramic tile, carpet. 3. Windows - acetate plastic, plastic wrap, plexiglass. 4. Other items - tape, glue, paint, felt or other cloth.

Procedure: 1. Obtain 4 different types of material. 2. Set up “light” of summer at 56cm high and 36 cm distance away and record temperature after 15 minutes. 3. Set up “light” of winter at 30cm high and 46 cm distance away and record temperature after 15 minutes. 4. Record each temperature for the 4 materials on the table. 5. Keep this material that retains the highest temperature for the design of your house.

1. Temperature in Summer (after 15 minutes) ______

2. Temperature in Winter (after 15 minutes) ______

Materials Temperature in Summer (after Temperature in Winter (after 15 minutes) 15 minutes) 1.

Conclusions: Which material retained the most heat (temperature)? Name: ______Date:______

Passive Solar House Part 2:

Objective: To obtain the optimal distance and angle that will insure the highest temperatures within our solar home.

Procedure: 1. Set the thermometer at 36 cm and place in front of the heat (light) for 15 minutes. Record the temperature. This will be your summer distance from the house. 2. Set the thermometer at 46cm and place in front of the heat (light) for 15 minutes. Record the temperature. This will be your winter distance from the house. 3. Try 4 different angles to see which produces the most heat for your house. With the thermometer at the summer distance, put your heat source “light” at the following angles and record the temperatures after 10 minutes. Make note of which angle produced the most heat. This angle will be used for your house.

1. Temperature in Summer (after 15 minutes) ______

2. Temperature in Winter (after 15 minutes) ______

Angle Summer (after 10 minutes) Temperature in Winter (after 15 minutes) 60 degrees

75 degrees

90 degrees

120 degrees

Visual for Students to understand Sun’s position during Seasons (use under LCD)