Physics
Lab 2.11 Solar Still
Overview
The purpose of this laboratory class is to illustrate
evaporation and condensation. Design, construct and test
a solar distillation unit. Measure the amount of water
that it produces each day and identify the factors that
may contribute to a more efficient design.
Experiment
2.10.1 Solar Still
Design, construct and test
a solar distillation unit. Measure the amount of water
that it produces each day and identify the factors that
may contribute to a more efficient design.
Equipment
Anything you can use to make a solar still: Plastic
bottles, cans, plastic bags ets.
Discussion
Solar stills use the sun’s energy to provide the
energy needed to convert water into vapor. The air inside
the still becomes saturated with water and the energy
trapped inside the still increases the temperature and
allows more vapor to form. The material that encloses or
covers the still is at a lower temperature than the air
and vapor inside the still because it is cooled by the
air outside the still. This causes water to condense on
the inside of the cover. If the cover is correctly
designed, water will flow down the inside of the cover
and collect at the bottom of the still. The still needs
to be designed so that the water that is being purified
through evaporation and condensation does not contaminate
the distilled water that collects at the bottom of the
still.
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