Which color absorbs the most heat?

I think the dark blue cup will absorb the most heat.

For this project I used: Six different color cups 45 watt flood lamp Digital Thermometer Measuring cup 150ml water per cup

Step 1: Gather the materials that you will need for this experiment. Step 2: Fill each cup with 150ml of water Step 3: Place all cups under the lamp so all the cups will receive the same amount of heat. Step 4: Measure the starting temperature. Step 5: turn on the lamp and wait 90 minutes.

Step 6: Measure the temperature of each cup Step 7: Record your results Step 8: Repeat steps 2-7 two more times to make sure your results are accurate. Step 9: Calculate the average temperature for each cup.

Manipulated: The color of the cup Responding: The temperature each cup reaches Controlled: Amount of water, time under the lamp, placement of cups (so each cup receives equal amounts of heat)

Cup ColorTime 1Time 2Time 3Average Blue21.8°C22.9°C22.2°C22.3° C White19.0°C18.6°C19.2°C18.9°C Orange19.7°C20.8° C20.1°C Yellow19.3°C19.4°C19.7°C19.4°C Red20.9°C21.8°C21.2°C21.3°C Green19.7°C21.7°C21.1°C20.8°C Starting Temperature: 6.6° C

The color that absorbed the most heat was the blue with an average temp. of 22.3°C. The color that absorbed the least amount of heat was the white, with an average temp. of 18.9° C. My hypothesis was correct.

Three sources of error would be: 1.The starting temperature may have been slightly different for each cup. 2.The cups may not of received the same amount of heat. 3.The amounts of water may not have been equal.

Three ways to improve are: 1.Make sure all starting temperatures are the same. 2.Use a bigger lamp so all the cups receive equal amounts of heat. 3.Find a more accurate way to measure the water.

Pictures