Sun Angle and Solar Intensity How is this relevant to me?

Write a Hypothesis: How does sunlight angle affect solar intensity Write a Hypothesis: How does sunlight angle affect solar intensity? I think…

Materials:  Flashlight  Grid paper  Computer paper  Protractor  Ruler  Pencil

Illustration simulating solar intensity

90 60 30

Roles: A- Ruler/Protractor B- Calculator C- Scribe(paper/dry erase) D- Tracer/counter

1. Place your grid paper on a flat surface 1.Place your grid paper on a flat surface. Have a lab partner hold the flashlight directly above the grid paper. Check the angle measure with your protractor. 2.Have the other lab partner carefully trace the outline of light on the paper. Label this circle 90°

3. Each square on the graph paper represents 1 cm2 3. Each square on the graph paper represents 1 cm2 . Count and record the number of square centimeters within your outline.

5. Calculate the number of total squares on the paper.

6. Calculate the percent of the grid paper covered by the sunlight by dividing the number of squares within the 90˚ outline by the total number of squares on the grid.

Feedback: Write your answer on the board

60 and 90 degrees

Repeat the procedure for 60°.

Feedback: Write your answer on the board

Repeat the procedure for 30

Feedback: Write your answer on the board

How is the shape different for 60 and 30 degrees How is the shape different for 60 and 30 degrees? Did the amount of light from the flashlight change?

Analysis: Imagine that there are 100 particles of light coming out of the flashlight as it is on. Think about how much light is given to the individual squares at each angle. Which gets more light per square (greater solar intensity)? Use the formula below to calculate solar intensity. 100 particles / ____ squares illuminated (area) = _____ particles / cm2 90= 60= 30=

Graph the change in solar intensity from most direct to last direct angle. We will use the calculations for solar intenisty. ? ?

1. Based on your graph, do your results match your hypothesis? Why?

Analyze 2. What do your results tell you about the differences in sunlight angle and solar intensity throughout a day? 3. What do your results tell you about the differences in sunlight angle and solar intensity during different seasons?

4. If light is also heat energy, what treatment receives the most heat per square? The least?

Drawing Conclusions 5. Label the regions above: tropics, temperate, polar a. What region receives the most direct sunlight? Why? b. What region receives the least direct sunlight? Why? c. Which region experiences the greatest solar intensity? The least? d. Which region receives the most heat per area? The least?

In the blank space at the top of your paper, summarize in 5 or more sentences the activity we just did. Compare/contrast the different angles(solar intensity) and connect the learning to some observation, feeling or situation in your life. (3 minutes)

Analogy: Climate and Weather