Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello!
O.K. so I am in a science fair and I am doing the project, Absorption of Radiant Energy by Different Colors and I had the title: Hot Colors but that doesn't pop . I need a really good title that will amaze the judges! Please help!!!
Thanks,

So I decided to do Absorption of Radiant Energy by Different Colors for my science project. It's due on January 6th, 2014. I just started the experiment today but noticed that it was cloudy and I don't think we will be getting any direct sunlight this week since there a chance it's going to snow.
It states in the procedure to place the construction paper in the sunlight. Does it have to be in direct sunlight or does indirect sunlight works as well?

Hello and welcome to the forums!

Sorry to hear about your cloudy weather, but I don't think indirect sunlight is going to work. You could try using light from a light bulb indoors instead. In fact, you could extend this experiment by using different types of indoor lighting, from incandescent to CFL to halogen or whatever you have. You will just need to get the bulb close to all of the papers (and the same distance from each. This is why sunlight is such a good source, it is effectively the same distance from each piece of paper.) You could do the papers one at a time, just make sure the light is the same distance away each time and that you measure the temperature after the same exact amount of time.

HTH.
Keith

Thank you sooooo much for your assistance!

I just want to clarify a few more things.
By using light bulbs as a substitute for the sunlight, will the same concept from the project Absorption of Radiant Energy by Different Colors still be applied for the light bulbs? (The Stefan Boltzmann Law, blackbody radiation, or anything from the 'Background' section of the project, etc.)

Or will it turn into a whole new experiment?

Can someone please answer MY question!!!!