Essay On Solar Oven

Creating and adapting new ways of utilizing renewable resources is becoming increasingly important. One of the most abundant sources of renewable energy comes from the sun in the form of solar radiation. The Pizza Box Solar Oven is just one example of how we can use the sun's energy as a clean source of power. Every step in creating the Solar Oven represents an important concept about how energy from the sun is harnessed.

The Components of the Solar Oven

Aluminum Foil: Reflects the light from the sun into the oven.

Black Construction Paper: Absorbs the light reflected off of the aluminum foil. Black construction paper is used instead of other colors because black absorbs all the colors in the visible spectrum. Since black absorbs the most wavelengths, it absorbs the most amount of the

Conduction - Conduction occurs when an object transfers heat to another object through direct contact. Our atmosphere obtains its heat through conduction with the Earth's surface. In the solar oven, conduction occurs when the hot black construction paper comes into contact with the oven bag.

Convection - In both the solar oven and the atmosphere heat circulates due to convection.

Convection occurs when warm air, which is less dense and has a lower pressure than cold air, rises, and the colder, denser air sinks to take its place. Cold air sinks because the denser and heavier air has a greater gravitational pull than the warm air.

Note: Convection is also responsible for circulation of heat in the oceans.

Greenhouse Effect - The greenhouse effect occurs when thermal radiation from the Earth's surface is absorbed and reradiated by greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. In the solar oven, the plastic wrap simulates the atmosphere by trapping the heat that is being radiated by the black construction paper. Since the plastic wrap prevents the heat from escaping into the surrounding environment, the air inside the pizza box continues to heat up enabling the