Solar Cooker

A science student is using a solar cooker to investigate how energy moves from one place to another. Which of the following explains one way that energy is transferred?

• Heat energy moves from the box to the sun.

• Light energy moves from the food to the sun

• Light energy moves from the reflector to the sun.

• Heat energy moves from the dark bowl to the food.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Gina and Jordan want to make food for a few guests. They decide to use a solar cooker, but they haven’t used one before. They will use their knowledge about energy transfer and changes in types of energy to make sure the cooker works. They will also make changes so the cooker works better. Gina wants to use the solar cooker to prepare the meal. Jordan would rather use their electric oven, because it prepares meals quickly and easily. Gina wants to convince Jordan to use the solar oven instead. Which is the best argument in favor of using the solar cooker?

• Solar cookers get hotter than electric ovens.

• Solar cookers are easier to use than electric ovens.

• Solar cookers are more reliable than electric ovens.

• Solar cookers are better for the environment than electric ovens.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which statement provides the best evidence for the benefits of cooking with a solar oven?

• Solar cookers are powered by the sun, which makes them much easier to control than

  electric ovens.

• Solar cookers are powered by wind energy instead of gas. Wind energy is a renewable and

  clean energy source.

• Solar cookers are powered by gas instead of energy from the sun. Unlike energy from the

  sun, gas is a renewable source of energy.

• Solar cookers are powered by energy from the sun. Using energy from the sun is cleaner

  than burning gas, and the sun is a renewable source of energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

Desmond was given the solar cooker shown above. It takes 50 minutes to cook food when placed in direct sunlight. He wants to test variations of this design to find one that can cook the food faster. He changed one variable at a time to test a variety of designs. He also noted the cost that was necessary to make each change. The data are in the table below. Part A —Based on Desmond’s criteria, which design should he choose?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

Explain your reasoning for choosing your answer before.

• This design was the cheapest option, yet it took longer to cook the food.

• This design took the longest to cook the food, but cost nothing.

• This design cooked the food in the least amount of time, and cost nothing.

• This design cooked the food in the least amount of time, despite the small cost.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

NGSS.MS-ETS1-4

A science student is using a solar cooker to investigate how energy moves from one place

to another.

Which of the following explains one way that energy is transferred?

• Heat energy moves from the box to the sun.

• Light energy moves from the food to the sun.

• Light energy moves from the reflector to the sun.

• Heat energy moves from the dark bowl to the food.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Gina wants to use the solar cooker to prepare the meal. Jordan would rather use their electric oven, because it prepares meals quickly and easily. Gina wants to convince Jordan to use the solar oven instead. Part A – Which is the best argument in favor of using the solar cooker?

• Solar cookers get hotter than electric ovens.

• Solar cookers are easier to use than electric ovens.

• Solar cookers are more reliable than electric ovens.

• Solar cookers are better for the environment than electric ovens.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Which statement provides the best evidence for the benefits of cooking with a solar oven?

• Solar cookers are powered by the sun, which makes them much easier to control than

  electric ovens.

• Solar cookers are powered by wind energy instead of gas. Wind energy is a renewable and

  clean energy source.

• Solar cookers are powered by gas instead of energy from the sun. Unlike energy from the

  sun, gas is a renewable source of energy.

• Solar cookers are powered by energy from the sun. Using energy from the sun is cleaner

  than burning gas, and the sun is a renewable source of energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Gina convinces Jordan to use the solar cooker to prepare their meal. Jordan takes the cooker outside and places it under a large shade tree in their backyard. Gina explains that for the solar cooker to work, they should place it in a different location. Gina and Jordan need to find a better location for the solar cooker. Part A – Which of the following best describes what they should do?

• The solar cooker should be placed near the house so they can plug it in.

• The solar cooker should be placed in a location where the wind is blowing.

• The solar cooker should be placed in the house because it is warmer inside.

• The solar cooker should be placed in a location that gets as much sunlight as possible.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

Gina convinces Jordan to use the solar cooker to prepare their meal. Jordan takes the cooker outside and places it under a large shade tree in their backyard. Gina explains that for the solar cooker to work, they should place it in a different location. Gina and Jordan need to find a better location for the solar cooker. Part B – Which best supports your answer to Part A?

• The solar cooker will use wind energy to cook the food.

• The solar cooker will use the heat from inside the home to cook the food.

• The solar cooker will use electrical energy and convert it to heat energy to cook the food.

• The solar cooker will use light energy from the sun and convert it to heat to cook the food.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4