In a solar cooker, a plane mirror acts as a reflector, focusing sunlight onto the food being cooked. A glass sheet, on the other hand, traps heat inside the cooker, preventing it from escaping and further increasing the cooking temperature.
Elaboration:
Plane Mirror:
The plane mirror, often angled to capture sunlight, reflects the sunlight towards the food inside the cooker. This increases the amount of solar energy concentrated on the cooking area, making it more efficient.
Glass Sheet:
The glass sheet, placed over the opening of the cooker, allows sunlight to enter but prevents the infrared radiation (heat) from escaping. This “greenhouse effect” helps to trap heat within the cooker, further increasing the temperature and cooking time.