Heat Absorption

Laura did an experiment earlier this week about heat absorption.  She has been learning about polar bears who, despite their white fur, have black skin.  That black skin keeps them warmer than if they had light skin.  Laura placed two ice cubes in baggies under washrags, a dark one and a light one.

After sitting in full sun on an 80 degree day for a few minutes, we went to check to see which ice cube melted faster... or if they were both the same.

We discovered that the ice cube under the dark rag melted a little quicker.  The old advice about being hotter wearing black in the summer proved to be true.  Dark colors do absorb more heat.