Water Distiller: A Solar Experiment

Posted by David Wetzel

Solar Water Distiller

Students use hands-on inquiry based science to investigate the water distillation process using solar energy.

The purpose of this experiment is to determine if pure water can be distilled from dirty water.

Materials: (Per Group of Students)

1 Large Clear Plastic Container
1 Small Glass
1 Small Rock
1 Tablespoon
2 Tablespoons of Dirt
Clean Water
Duct Tape
Clear Plastic Wrap

Hands-On Procedures:

1. Tape the empty glass to the bottom of the large clear bowl, open side up.
2. Add water to a point below the glass opening, ensure clean water does not enter glass.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of dirt to water and stir.
4. Cover opening of bowl with plastic wrap and place small rock in center.
5. Place completed bowl setup in sunny location or use a heat lamp if sunny location is not available.

Inquiry Based Hypothesis Development and Discussion:

1. Students predict if the outcome of the experiment during construction of their Solar Water Distiller.
2. Students make observations of their Solar Water Distiller for 5 days.
3. Students discuss the outcome: Was their hypothesis supported? What evidence do they have to support their findings? What would happen if salt was used instead of dirt? What about sugar?