Theories on Energy

In the winter, our orbit is closer to the sun. The equator sees its maximum heat at high noon. I maintain that the same amount of heat strikes the earth here in Connecticut as it does in Nova Scotia, as it does at the equator (perhaps minus 7 percent due to passing obliquely through more atmosphere.)

The way to collect it is to present an insulated flat surface to intersect the sun’s rays at 90% angle to collect maximum heat. The collection box should be insulated with the most superior insulation material (which happens to be Aero-gel.) The company is still in business after having its start in the 1920’s. I devised an experiment using a large freezer bag and crumpled up aluminum foil to form a half sphere in the rear of the bag and, placing an oven thermometer in the bag, focused this at the sun through a window from a room that was 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with an outside temperature of 40 degree Fahrenheit. The thermometer reached the temperature of 203 degrees.

I anticipate working with a science teacher from a college who would be interested in duplication the experiment on a larger scale. Perhaps a Styrofoam box large enough to contain two watermelons and using Aero-gel to narrow the inside space to one foot square. And using, perhaps, one or two modern, sealed windows (the ones with air sealed in), which needs to be bolted to the front of the box. In the box should be a censor beating through a wire to an outside drum recorder. The box to be mounted on a mount to keep focused on the sun throughout the day.

That might appeal to a teacher to involve his class.