Introduction
Dear incrEDIBLES,
The purpose of this assignment is to define a single term relevant to my discipline, in three different ways as instructed on the English 301 course website. Thus, I chose the term ‘pyranometer’ and gave a parenthetical, sentence, and expanded definition for it, as can be seen below. I chose this term because, I feel that it is relatively complex and pertains mainly to the natural sciences. A non-technical reader such as a professional in the formal or social sciences may come across this term upon reading about climate change or weather patterns and would therefore require a definition for it. In another scenario, a non-technical reader may be thinking about installing solar panels within their home and would come across this term too.
Parenthetical
Pyranometer (measures the sun’s energy on a surface).
Sentence
A pyranometer is a device that converts the incident solar radiation on a horizontal surface into a signal that can be computed into energy.
Expanded
History & Etymology
The term pyranometer originated from the Greek language where pyr means fire, ano means up, and meter means a measure (Abbot and Aldrich). Together these words compile the purpose of the pyranometer which is to measure direct and diffuse solar irradiance directed onto a horizontal surface in units of energy over an area (W/m2). This term was first mentioned in 1916 in the paper, “The Pyranometer – An Instrument for Measuring Sky Radiation,” by C.G. Abbot and L.B. Aldrich. The development of this device came about after the creation of the pyrheliometer in 1893 which only measured the direct solar irradiance (Wely). Thus, Abbot and Aldrich created the pyranometer in order to measure the radiation of the entire sky, thereby including diffuse and direct irradiance from the sun.
Operating Principle
Pyranometers can come in two different types: thermopile or chip-type. In the industry, the thermopile pyranometers are used most often as they account for a wider range of incoming wavelengths. Thermopile pyranometers operate in a fairly simple manner. As sunlight is incident on the pyranometer in the region indicated by number 6 on Figure 1. the thermopile sensor as indicated by number 4 on Figure 1. responds by heating proportionately (Woodford). This generates a voltage that can then be computed into energy received per square meter.
Figure 1. A thermopile pyranometer (“Pyranometer”).
Usage
Pyranometers are extremely useful on a meteorological basis as well as in regard to climate change. These devices can be used to measure solar energy to determine the effectiveness of solar panels in forming electricity (Hinckley). Thus, we can determine how much energy solar power can harvest which could help the advancement of solar panels and prompt the switch to solar power in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases. In meteorology such a device is advantageous, as it can assist in determining the proportion of solar radiation reflected by a surface, thereby allowing the prediction of weather patterns. In summation, pyranometers in their purpose of measuring incident solar radiation, are able to be multimodal.
Works Cited
Abbot, C. G., and L. B. Aldrich. “The Pyranometer: An Instrument for Measuring Sky Radiation.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 2, no. 6, 1916, pp. 333–335. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/83403.
Hinckley, Alan, “Pyranometers: What You Need to Know.” Campbell Scientific,14 June. 2017,
https://www.campbellsci.com/blog/pyranometers-need-to-know.
“Pyranometer.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia,28 Nov. 2012, https://en.wikipedia.org/w
iki/File:SR20_pyranometer_linedrawing.pdf. Accessed 12 Jan. 2019.
Woodford, Chris. “Pyranometers.”ExplainThatStuff, 23 March. 2018, https://www.explainth atstuff.com/how-pyranometers-work.html.
Wely, Leo. “On the history of the pyranometer.” Kipp & Zowen, 12 March. 2012, http://www
.kippzonen.com/News/290/On-the-history-of-the-pyranometer#.XDrRQS3Myu5.
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