Will a black container of hot water lose heat faster or slower than a white container of hot water?
Asked by: Katy Ward
Answer
A black body is assumed to be a perfect radiator of heat.
A black container of water can be said to be closer to a black body than a white container. Kirchoff's laws of radiation make it evident that a BLACK BODY IS NOT ONLY A PERFECT ABSORBER BUT ALSO A PERFECT emitter of heat. Hence the black container will cool down faster.
Wear a black cotton shirt in summer, you'll sweat!
Wear a cotton (black) shirt in winter you'll freeze!
Answered by: Akhilesh, Undergrad, India
'For the sake of persons of ... different types, scientific truth should be presented in different forms, and should be regarded as equally scientific, whether it appears in the robust form and the vivid coloring of a physical illustration, or in the tenuity and paleness of a symbolic expression.'