How to Calculate the Rise in Temperature of an Object in Sunlight

For a heat source that is 93 million miles away, the sun still does a good job of raising the temperature of objects in its daytime glare. The expression, "Hot enough to fry eggs on a sidewalk" may not be quite true, according to the North Carolina Egg Association, but it often feels reasonable to say so. Calculating the rise in temperature of an object left in the sunlight is a simple experiment and is interesting to do with a variety of objects to see how each reacts.

Things You'll Need

  • Probe thermometer such as for meat
  • Metal skillet
  • Piece of 2-by-4 wood stud
  • Clear drinking glass
  • Ceramic decorative piece
  • Terrycloth
  • Silk material
  • Wool material
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure with a probe thermometer the surface temperature in the shade of various objects.

    • 2

      Write down the temperature for each object and the time it was measured.

    • 3

      Set each out so that the largest portion is facing directly into the sunshine. Do not place them on a metal table or concrete driveway, as this will affect the temperature. A grass lawn has air circulating through it, which moderates the temperature.

    • 4

      Remeasure the temperature of each object every 15 minutes, four times. Write down the temperatures and the times under each object on the list.

    • 5

      Subtract the first temperature measurement from the last to calculate the rise in temperature that 60 minutes in the direct sunlight made.

    • 6

      Draw conclusions from the data as to what types of materials have the greatest rise in temperature from the sun.

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