Introduction
In this experiment, we will determinwe the Effect of Bottom Reflectivity on Solar Pond Performance to understand whether the bottom reflectivity affects the performance of the solar pond.
As we already know, under this project, we could store and reuse solar energy by creating salinity gradient water bodies. Therefore, we hypothesised that the low reflectivity on the bottom surface of saline water containers results in high solar energy storage efficiency.
Aim
To determine the effect of bottom reflectivity of saline water containers on storage efficiency.
Theory
1. A collection of saltwater in a pool or container is termed a solar pond.
2. The work of the solar pond is to store solar energy.
3. It forms a vertical salinity gradient, also known as halocline, in which high salinity floats on the bottom, and low salinity floats on top of the pool.
Requirements
1. Container
2. Halogen Lamplight
3. Thermometer
4. Notebook
Procedure
Step 1: In a container, create a solar pond vertical salinity gradient.
Step 2: Expose this container under halogen lamplight, i.e., sunlight simulator.
Step 3: Observe the bottom of the surface.
Step 4: Observe three cases that are high, absorptive, high reflective, and medium absorptive.
Step 5: Measure the difference in the temperature of the bottom and the top layer of the water.
Step 6: The calculated difference between water temperature will be the function of light and exposure time.
Step 7: Record your observations.
Observation
1. From the experiment, we observed that in the case of high absorption, the bottom temperature of the water increased and also exceeded the temperature of the top layer by six hours sooner than in the medium case and almost twelve-hour sooner than in the case of high reflection.
2. In the case of high reflection, the bottom temperature of water never exceeded the temperature of the top layer of water.
Result
1. The temperature of the bottom surface increased more rapidly in the case of high absorption than in the cases of high reflection and medium absorption.
2. It indicates the high thermal conversion efficiency in a highly reflective case.
3. This proved our hypothesis in which we assumed that the low reflection at the bottom surface of saline water containers resulted in high thermal conversion efficiency.
Precaution
1. Container should be large.
2. Record the temperature change using a standard thermometer.
3. Record your observation precisely.
Conclusion
In the science experiment to understand the Effect of Bottom Reflectivity on Solar Pond Performance, we concluded that the effect of the bottom reflectivity of the solar pond on its storing capacity by making the bottom surface highly absorptive.
VIVA Questions With Answers
Q.1 What was the aim of your experiment?
ANS. We aimed to determine the Effect of Bottom Reflectivity on Solar Pond Performance to understand the relationship between the high absorptive bottom surface of the solar pond and the storing capacity of the solar pond.
Q.2 What was the effect of the high absorptive case on the solar pond?
ANS. In case of high absorption, the bottom temperature increased and exceeded the middle absorption temperature for six hours.
Q.3 What was your hypothesis?
ANS. We hypothesised that the storage capacity of solar ponds increases by decreasing its reflectivity on the bottom surface.
Q.4 What was the result of your experiment?
ANS. We found out that in the high absorptive case (low reflective case), the storing capacity of the solar pond has increased.
Saquib Siddiqui is a Mechanical Engineer and a content creator. He has special interest in science experiments and teaches the same to school and college students. He is also a technical lead at RUDE LABS PVT. LTD.
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