Solar Furnace with 30cm Parabolic Dish

This solar furnace uses a 30cm (11.8") diameter parabolic reflector to focus sunlight onto a black-coated copper cup, effectively demonstrating the conversion of solar radiation to thermal energy. The complete apparatus stands 18" tall. To keep the furnace hot, the mirror must periodically be realigned with the sun as the Earth rotates. Users should avoid staring at the focused bright spot and allow the copper cup and its contents to cool before handling. Well suited to physics classroom demonstrations of solar energy, radiation concentration, and heat transfer.