http://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_colors_absorb_heat_better/colors_absorb_heat_better.xmlactivitytext/xmlCenter for Engineering Educational Outreach, colorheatenergylightlight absorptionmeltingsolarsunheatsolar energysolar cellsolar panelenergyabsorbreflectradiant energy

Students test whether the color of a material affects how much heat it absorbs. They leave ice cubes placed in boxes made of colored paper (one box per color; white, yellow, red and black) in the sun, and predict which colored box melts an ice cube first. They record the order and time required for the ice cubes to melt.

The study of light and its behavior is an important component in the design of many items, everything from optical instruments to roofing materials to solar cells. The performance and characteristics of light guide engineers to come up with different forms of light detection for lenses in cameras, microscopes, CD players and medical devices. Different sources of light carry different quantities of energy. For example, powerful lasers can cut through stone or even metal. Certain colors absorb light better than others.The sun produces heat and light.Why ice cubes melt.(optional) The purpose of solar panels.21TeachEngineering.orghttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_colors_absorb_heat_better/activity_worksheet.pdfhttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_colors_absorb_heat_better/activity_worksheet.dochttp://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/features/cool_roof_resources.htmlhttp://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED480661&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED480661 London: Simon & Schuster, 1990, page 64.http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=116283S10138ADMassachusettsScience1.1 Identify and describe characteristics of natural materials (e.g., wood, cotton, fur, wool) and human-made materials (e.g., plastic, Styrofoam).-12S101838CMassachusettsScience1.2 Identify and explain some possible uses for natural materials (e.g., wood, cotton, fur, wool) and human-made materials (e.g., plastic, Styrofoam).-12S101F7C6MassachusettsScience4. Recognize that the sun supplies heat and light to the earth and is necessary for life.-12United StatesCopyright 2012 - Center for Engineering Educational Outreach, Tufts Universityhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2011-11-221Teacher