Radiation Cans

These three aluminum cans have different surface finishes: Silver (unpainted), White and Flat Black. They are 15 cm high, and hold about 350 ml of water. Their large thermal mass ensures good results with both temperature probes and standard glass thermometers. Fill them with cool water and place them outside in the sunlight to investigate the effect of the surface finish on solar heating. Or place them inside filled with hot water to discover Newton's Law of Cooling.