1. Wooden Box: Find a wooden box with a hinged lid. The size of the box should be approximately 12 inches (30 cm) wide, 10 inches (25 cm) high, and 6 inches (15 cm) deep.
2. Glass Sphere: Obtain a spherical glass ball with a diameter of approximately 4 inches (10 cm). This glass ball will act as the lens to concentrate sunlight.
3. Cardboard: Cut a piece of cardboard slightly smaller than the size of the box's base. This cardboard will serve as the recording surface.
4. Metal Strip: Cut a thin strip of metal, such as aluminum or copper, approximately 6 inches (15 cm) long. This metal strip will hold the cardboard in place.
5. Mounting Bracket: You will need a sturdy bracket to mount the sunshine recorder to a post or other stable structure.
Here are the steps to construct a sunshine recorder:
1. Prepare the Wooden Box: Remove the lid of the wooden box and set it aside. Attach the metal strip to the inside of the box, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the top edge.
2. Install the Glass Sphere: Make a hole in the center of the box's lid, just large enough to fit the glass sphere. Secure the glass sphere in the hole, making sure it is stable and centered.
3. Attach the Cardboard: Place the piece of cardboard on the box's base, under the metal strip. The cardboard should be perfectly flat and parallel to the glass sphere.
4. Mount the Sunshine Recorder: Choose a suitable location, such as a post or a fence, where the sunshine recorder will receive direct sunlight throughout the day. Use the mounting bracket to securely attach the box to the post.
5. Set the Recording Mechanism: Place a piece of graph paper or recording chart on the cardboard surface. Draw a horizontal line to represent the sunrise time and a vertical line to represent the sunset time. Every hour, mark vertical lines on the chart. This will help you record the duration of sunshine throughout the day.
The sunshine recorder works by focusing the sun's rays through the glass sphere onto the cardboard surface. As the sun moves across the sky, the focused light spot will move across the cardboard. The cardboard will be scorched or discolored where the sunlight hits, leaving a record of the sun's path and duration.
By examining the chart, you can determine the total amount of sunshine hours each day and observe the pattern of sunshine over time. This data can be useful for various purposes, such as studying weather patterns, climate analysis, and optimizing solar energy systems.