Solar Hot Dog CookerSolar Hot Dog Cooker

Matt KesichMatt Kesich

IntroductionIntroduction

We used We used http://explorelearning.comhttp://explorelearning.com to create our parabola to fit into the to create our parabola to fit into the box.box.

Our goal was to create a successful Our goal was to create a successful parabolic solar cooker out of simple parabolic solar cooker out of simple materials such as cardboard and a materials such as cardboard and a reflective material.reflective material.

How it WorksHow it Works

The sunlight and heat is reflected off The sunlight and heat is reflected off the Mylar, converging on the focus.the Mylar, converging on the focus.

The skewer is placed through the The skewer is placed through the focus so most of the heat will be focus so most of the heat will be transferred to the food, thus allowing transferred to the food, thus allowing it to cook much more rapidly.it to cook much more rapidly.

Equation/MethodEquation/Method

We used Method 2, which allowed us We used Method 2, which allowed us to use one of the two corner points of to use one of the two corner points of the box and the vertex, allowing us the box and the vertex, allowing us to not guess and check, but get it to not guess and check, but get it right the first time.right the first time.

The equation we used was derived The equation we used was derived from y= from y= ¼¼pp(x-h)(x-h)²+k. The formula to ²+k. The formula to create our parabola was 23=¼create our parabola was 23=¼pp(0-(0-22)²+1. The final equation of the line 22)²+1. The final equation of the line was y=0.05x²-2.00x+23.00.was y=0.05x²-2.00x+23.00.

Finding the Vertex and FocusFinding the Vertex and Focus We found the We found the vertex by simply vertex by simply selecting where selecting where we wanted it to we wanted it to be located. We did be located. We did not want it to be too not want it to be too high or too low, so high or too low, so we picked one we picked one towards the bottom towards the bottom but not all the way down.but not all the way down.

MaterialsMaterials

Cardboard BoxCardboard Box Wooden SkewersWooden Skewers CompassCompass ScissorsScissors ProtractorProtractor

MylarMylar Poster BoardPoster Board RulerRuler StringString Graph PaperGraph Paper

Building the BoxBuilding the Box

Dimensions:Dimensions: Length: 44 cmLength: 44 cm Width: 28.5 cmWidth: 28.5 cm Height: 23 cmHeight: 23 cm

First, we had to graph the points of the First, we had to graph the points of the parabola onto the box so we would be able parabola onto the box so we would be able to see where to put the skewers.to see where to put the skewers.

We started with the two corner points, We started with the two corner points, (0,23) and (44,23), as well as the vertex, (0,23) and (44,23), as well as the vertex, (22, 3.5).(22, 3.5).

Building Cont.Building Cont.

After we graphed the points on both sides After we graphed the points on both sides of the box, we punctured holes with the of the box, we punctured holes with the compass and ran the skewers through compass and ran the skewers through both sides of the box.both sides of the box.

Then, we covered the poster board with Then, we covered the poster board with Mylar and placed it onto the skewers, Mylar and placed it onto the skewers, forming a parabola.forming a parabola.

Finally, we found the focus and placed a Finally, we found the focus and placed a skewer through it, which is where the food skewer through it, which is where the food would be cooking.would be cooking.

Angle of Elevation and the SunAngle of Elevation and the Sun

We needed to figure out the elevation of We needed to figure out the elevation of the sun since we were only able to cook in the sun since we were only able to cook in the morning.the morning.

We used the website We used the website http://www.srrb.noaa.gov/highlights/sunrishttp://www.srrb.noaa.gov/highlights/sunrise/azel.htmle/azel.html to find the exact angle of elevation of the to find the exact angle of elevation of the sun.sun.

We then angled the box using a protractor We then angled the box using a protractor and had the most direct amount of and had the most direct amount of sunlight entering the box and converging sunlight entering the box and converging on the focus.on the focus.

Ideal/Poor Conditions for Solar Ideal/Poor Conditions for Solar CookingCooking

The most ideal place to use solar cookers The most ideal place to use solar cookers is at the equator since most of the sun’s is at the equator since most of the sun’s rays are hitting at that location.rays are hitting at that location.

The least ideal place would be at the two The least ideal place would be at the two poles since the least amount of sunlight is poles since the least amount of sunlight is hitting there.hitting there.

Ideally, a day with no clouds would be the Ideally, a day with no clouds would be the best, and the use of solar cookers is best, and the use of solar cookers is useless if it is cloudy and there is no useless if it is cloudy and there is no sunlight.sunlight.

Other Uses of Solar ParaboloidsOther Uses of Solar Paraboloids

Satellite Dishes for Satellite Dishes for TV/Internet/Radio/etc.TV/Internet/Radio/etc.

Communications through Communications through

spacespace

Was it Successful?Was it Successful?

Our box that we built was successful Our box that we built was successful because all of the sunlight converged because all of the sunlight converged on the focus where it was supposed on the focus where it was supposed to, working perfectly as planned.to, working perfectly as planned.