Despite the fact that we are heading into winter here in the Southern Hemisphere, today we had one of those sweltering hot days where the heat weighs you down and you can't help but feel that the weather is brewing up a storm (or has some kind of surprise in store). The topic weather brought up a discussion among  my co-workers on why it is preferable to wear lighter colors on a warm summers day. This gave me an idea, a little science experiment was in order!

This experiment is a great way to explain to kids (and adults too) how warmer colors absorb heat faster, and the science behind it. This easy activity is an excellent way to demonstrate the theory behind the science. You could also do this little "trick" at home to entertain the troops during school holidays, or a quiet weekend at home.

Why Do Darker Colours Absorb More Heat?

With this activity you get to experiment with light, water, colour and heat. By doing so you get to see (or actually feel) for yourself how darker colors do in fact absorb more light and heat, than lighter colors.

For this experiment you will need the following materials:

• A bright and sunshiny day
• A sheet of white paper
• A sheet of dark paper (black is preferable but we used a navy blue)
• Two short glasses
• Two elastic bands
• A jug of room temperature water
• Thermometer

Instructions:

1. Half fill each of your glasses, make sure that they each have the same amount of water and that the water in each glass is the same temperature (you can use your thermometer for this).
2. Cover the top of one glass with the white paper, securing it to the top with a rubber band. Do the same with the dark piece of paper.
3. Place the glasses in an area where they will be exposed to the direct sun for at least a couple of hours.
4. After a few hours, remove the covers on your glasses.
5. Using your thermometer, record the temperature of the water in each glass.
6. The result will show that the water covered with the dark sheet of paper is warmer than the glass covered with the white sheet of paper.

THE SCIENCE BIT

Dark surfaces such as the black paper absorb more light and heat than the lighter ones such as the white paper. After measuring the temperatures of the water, the glass with the black paper around it should be hotter than the other. Lighter surfaces reflect more light, that's why people where lighter colored clothes in the summer, it keeps them cooler. - http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/lightcolorheat.html

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^{Image by @sweetpea}

I told you this was an easy experiment, and safe for kids of all ages to do on their own. While the activity is simple, the science bit is totally "cool" and this is a sure way to prove that darker colours really do absorb heat faster than their lighter counterparts. If you are a teacher, be sure to do this nifty "trick" with your students, or, as a parent or caregiver, you can entertain your kids with this concept at home.Enjoy!

Much love - @sweetpea

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