Sun - Day Two

And another "50 Things".

Today we set out to see if different colours absorb light at different rates and we set up the still again.  The basic idea for our absorbing/reflecting light experiment came from Science Kids again.  We filled two glasses up with water (the same amount in each) and placed specially scientifically prepared, identical (mmm) paper cases around them, one white and one black.  Then we left them in the sun for a couple of hours.

While that was doing its stuff we set up a new still, this time instead of using salt water we dyed our water green with food colouring.  Then we left that for a while too.

We checked on everything just before dinner and the heat absorption/reflection had worked a treat.  You could feel the difference in temperature between the glasses quite clearly but just for luck we also took the temperature of both with a digital meat thermometer.  The glass under white paper was 85 degrees f and the one under black was 92 degrees f.

I know it's not beef, honest

As for the still, it's a good job I'm not trying to manufacture moonshine is all I can say.  I wondered if it is actually too hot right now and the clingfilm surface is not cold enough to cause condensation so we put blue plastic penguin shaped ice cubes on the top and Hurray, a small amount of colourless water appeared in the glass, Jacob drank it before I could get the camera out so I have no proof.

This morning we went to the beach and Jacob buried Rose in the sand, this happens to be in the "50 things" book so it seems like I organised a really action packed day.  We didn't leave her there but it was tempting.