Equipment required: Two empty coffee cans (3-pound size), a thermometer, a can of flat black spray paint, and some tap water. On
e of the coffee cans needs to have a shiny metallic surface on both sides. Spray the other can with the flat black paint, on both sides. Fill the two cans with about two inches of tap water. Using a thermometer, measure the temperature of the water in each can (the readings should be the same). Remove the thermometer and place the cans in a sunny location where they will not be disturbed and will receive two hours of sunlight. After two hours, use the thermometer to measure the temperature of the water in each can.
Dark and dull objects absorb more energy. Lighter colored and shiny objects absorb less energy.
Explanation:
Because the shiny can reflects more energy then the black- colored can, the shiny can absorbs less energy. The water in the black colored can gets warmer because:
The cans emit energy. This heats the water. An object, which is shiny, reflects light. The black material almost absorbs light and heat. Heated bodies operate in reverse, which determines how they radiate energy. The higher the absorption by an object, the higher the radiation level it has. Since the shiny can absorbed less energy, it radiated less energy into the water. Thus, the water in the shiny can was less warm than the water in the black can.
