Saturday, April 4, 2009

Science Class 101

Black absorbs heat from the sun whereas white reflects the sun, and therefore the heat too.


Remember the picture of "Hello" from ashy Alaska? The strangest thing has happened. A couple days after taking that picture, the sun came out and we had warmer temps. The snow covered in the black ash absorbed the heat and melted MORE than the areas that were white. The word "Hello" is now raised in our yard instead of indented into the snow.

Wow! Science at work.
You can bet the next time we have ash fallout, I'm going to be out in the yard making cool Zentangle designs that will be 3-D once the snow melts.
PS This doesn't explain why Polar bears are white - you'd think they'd be black to absorb heat and stay warmer. But I think God planned them white to make them camoflauged in the snow and better hunters. They have layers of fat and thick fur to keep them warm. Plus I just googled this - Polar Bear skin is black, it's just their fur that is white. I learned something new today!

5 comments:

A Free Spirit Butterfly said...

Wow, I really should have paid more attention in school. As I've grown older, I really wish I could go back to science and math. Two subjects I really didn't care for. If only my nephews lived in Alaska, they would have an incredible Science Project to turn in this year. Ms sister has been streesing over it for the past 2 weeks (lol)

Have a happy Saturday

Aunt Krissy said...

I hope that you do make a pattern in the snow, that would be really cool too see.

tainterturtles said...

Wow, is that weird! I've never seen anything like that. Too bad you can't win some kind of science contest for the Before & After pictures.

Is your snow melting yet?

crochet lady said...

That is really something! The letters look so cool raised in the snow like that.

Carolina Elizabeth said...

This is just cool. Thank you for sharing.