PHYSICS 5054 · STRUCTURED PRACTICE
1
A rooftop solar collector panel of surface area 2.5 m² receives solar radiation at a rate of 800 W m⁻². Water of mass 120 kg flows through copper pipes bonded to the black absorber plate.
(a)
[2]Calculate the total solar power incident on the panel.
(b)
[3]Calculate the thermal energy required to heat 120 kg of water from 15 °C to 55 °C. (Specific heat capacity of water c = 4200 J kg⁻¹ °)
(c)
[3]If the panel heats this water in 3.0 hours (10,800 s), calculate the useful output power and the overall efficiency of the solar heating system.
(d)
[2]Explain two design features of the panel that maximize energy absorption and minimize heat loss.
Total: 10 marks