Albedo Heat Test
Different coloured surfaces in the sun reach different temperatures — a model of urban heat and climate.
Start building ↓The build
Lay the surfaces
Set out equal black, white and grey sheets.
Add thermometers
Place one on each surface.
Expose to sun
Leave them in equal sunlight.
Record
Log temperatures every few minutes.
Dark surfaces absorb more sunlight and heat up faster, while light surfaces reflect more and stay cooler — their albedo differs.
A closer look
Albedo (reflectivity) drives urban heat islands and polar ice's role in climate; lighter surfaces keep things cooler.
Variables to test
- 1 Which colour gets hottest, and by how much?
- 2 Why do white roofs cool buildings?
More Environmental
Layered Water Filter
Sand, gravel and charcoal layers visibly clear muddy water — a model of natural and plant filtration.
Pizza-Box Solar Oven
Foil and plastic wrap turn a pizza box into an oven that melts chocolate with only sunlight.
Wind Turbine Generator
Blades drive a small generator to light an LED, modelling clean wind power.