The size of the mirror does matter in that a larger one will heat something more than a small one. A large mirror that catches and focuses the Sun’s light and heat on something can burn right through steel, which melts at temperatures of some 2,500 degrees Farenheit and up, depending on it’s composition. If you are interested in using a mirror to really heat something up, it’s not only doable, it is being done right now to generate electricity.
Depending on your latitude, the amount of energy reaching the earth’s surface is so many KW/ square meter.( I forgot the exact numbers)
Consequently, the larger the mirror, the larger the amount of energy captured.
But the real reason I answered this question is to sound the Alarm!!
CAUTION, EXTREME DANGER.!!!!!!!!!
Even a relatively small mirror can generate very high temperatures. If by accident or otherwise you look at a mirror aimed at the sun blindness can easily result.!! This is nothing to fool around with.
3 Comments
December 5th, 2009 at 7:19 am
No more than the Sun surface: 5500°K… Here the size is important to be more closed to that temperature..
December 5th, 2009 at 7:50 am
The size of the mirror does matter in that a larger one will heat something more than a small one. A large mirror that catches and focuses the Sun’s light and heat on something can burn right through steel, which melts at temperatures of some 2,500 degrees Farenheit and up, depending on it’s composition. If you are interested in using a mirror to really heat something up, it’s not only doable, it is being done right now to generate electricity.
December 5th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Depending on your latitude, the amount of energy reaching the earth’s surface is so many KW/ square meter.( I forgot the exact numbers)
Consequently, the larger the mirror, the larger the amount of energy captured.
But the real reason I answered this question is to sound the Alarm!!
CAUTION, EXTREME DANGER.!!!!!!!!!
Even a relatively small mirror can generate very high temperatures. If by accident or otherwise you look at a mirror aimed at the sun blindness can easily result.!! This is nothing to fool around with.
Adolph