Harnessing Solar Energy: Heating Water with a Magnifying Glass

Energy derived from the sun, known as solar energy, can be harnessed and used for thermal energy, or heat. Although people often rely on thermal solar energy to heat pools and even entire homes or businesses, you can also apply it to smaller applications. If you are in a remote location or otherwise want to heat water with a magnifying glass, you can rely on solar energy for a safe and practical method of harnessing solar energy.

Things You'll Need

• Magnifying glass

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Instructions

• 1

  Prepare a container to hold the water. Although other materials like plastic and wood can work, copper is the best choice, as it is a better conductor of heat than most other materials and less prone to corrosion. The narrower a container you use, the faster the water will heat up. For tube-shaped containers, you must seal off the bottom to create a solid base before filling with water.

• 2

  Fill the container with water.

• 3

  Place the container in an area outside with a direct view of the sun.

• 4

  Move the magnifying glass over the top of the container, positioned on a direct angle from the sun through the magnifying glass to the container. You can position the magnifying glass directly over the top of the water or aim it at the container if using copper or a similar metal. Warming up the pipe in this instance would conduct heat more rapidly and result in the water temperature increasing quicker.

• 5

  Hold the magnifying glass in place until the water reaches the desired temperature.