ENERGY SOURCES OF THE FUTURE

All around the world, in hundreds of different laboratories, thousands of scientists are searching for new sources of energy. Someday soon, we may know how to harness the power of the winds and tides, or to tame the amazing process called nuclear fusion (the mechanism that generates the sun’s energy), or to capture the energy from the sun that falls on the earth.

The last experiment in this book is meant to give you a glimpse of the future. It is a simple device that puts the sun’s rays to work.

EXPERIMENT 11:

A SUN-POWERED HOT DOG COOKER

THINGS YOU NEED: Four feet of “one by six” lumber. A sheet of aluminum 12 inches by 18 inches (ask for “aluminum valley” at lumber yards or hardware stores). Two wood screws at least 1¼ inches long and two washers to fit the screws. A 14-inch length of wire from a coat hanger. Some long and short nails.

Start by cutting the wood as follows: Three pieces 11 inches long and two pieces 5 inches long.

On two of the 11-inch pieces, inscribe a semi-circle having a diameter of 11 inches. As carefully as you can, cut out these disc halves with a coping saw. Finish the cut edges with a file.