Investigating Radiation

(Grades 5-8) Very hot objects like the sun emit short-wave radiation. Cooler objects emit longwave radiation. About half of the solar energy is short-wave radiation that we see as light. The energy passes through transparent substancees. In contrast, the earth emits long-wave radiation which is felt as heat. This unit will examine the effect of radiation from the sun. With the use of black and white cans, students will experiment with the difference of the temperature readings and learn the effect of radiation. Includes guide.