To What Temperature Can a Parabolic Dish Solar Collector Heat Water?
Daniel
L.
7th
grade, Ascension Catholic, Melbourne, Florida
Teacher: Elizabeth Westfall
Click to view a close-up
Hypothesis:
The researcher hypothesized that a parabolic solar
dish concentrator could reflect solar rays to a focal point
sufficiently to heat water to the boiling point on a full,
sunny day.
Conclusion:
The hypothesis was supported because the water
boiled on all trials in full sun. Cloud cover appears to significantly
affect heat production in a parabolic solar dish concentrator.
Other weather conditions such as cold temperature and strong
wind may affect the rate of heating. Heating ability of the
collector may be affected by the time of day in the solar window.
Prof Sunny:
Daniel built his own parabola oven using the quadratic
equation. He figured out the focal length to obtain the best
place to put his water container.
