Solar Ovens-Understanding Energy Transfer

This lesson, presented by the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network, covers the concept of solar ovens. In this lesson, students will learn how "thermal energy flows from the hot air to the cold water via conduction and will indicate that this would continue to happen until the water sample reaches the same temperature as the oven air. The students will also answer questions about how heat could be lost in the oven through conduction and convection, as well as how to get more solar radiation into the oven." Additionally, this experiment will prompt students to examine the relationships between conduction, convection, and radiation. Teacher and Student guides for parts one and two are included.