Activity: Absorbing Sunlight in Different Colored Soil Surfaces

This lesson plan/experiment provides steps for testing the temperature of three different colors of soil placed in the same location.  Students are then able to see how uneven heating of the earth can create wind. This resource shows heat absorption by varying surface materials affects land and sea breezes.

Weblink address (URL): 
Activity: Absorbing Sunlight in Different Colored Soil Surfaces

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Lesson Description:

Student will conduct an activity to identify the effects of solar energy on our planet and its systems by observing how 3 colored soils absorb sunlight differently.

 

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Differentiation suggestions: 

Adaptations:

Older students can learn about the albedo of a surface,a measure of the percentage of radiation striking the surface that is reflected back into space.

Helpful Hints

Materials Needed:

  • White sand
  • Black potting soil
  • Light grey gravel
  • Three thermometers,
  • Three clear glass bowls

References

Contributors: 
Pat Carpenter
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation