Right now many North Americans are probably saying ‘baby it is cold outside’ or words to that effect. Although, in a few months’ time they could be complaining about the heat just as loudly. We decided to investigate which colors are warmer in winter, and came up with a neat solar experiment.
Stuff You Need to Determine Which Colors are Warmer
- Four identical fruit juice bottles like you use at home.
- Four identical small party balloons of the same color.
- Three spray paint cans (black, dark and light color).
Discover Which of These Colors Absorbs Most Heat
- Paint one bottle black, one the dark color, and one the light color.
- Leave the fourth one unpainted. Set your work aside until dry.
- Fit one balloon over the neck of each bottle. Check for air leaks.
- Place the bottles in direct sunlight, side by side with space between.
- See what happens as the air inside the bottles heats, and expands.
The balloon in the black bottle should expand most, followed by the dark color, the light color, and then the clear bottle. Why does this happen?
Why Some Colors Admit More Warmth in Daytime
Some substances are better at reflecting light, while others absorb it more. The website Sciencing confirms they react to heat energy similarly. The color of clothes likewise determines which are warmer, and which are cooler. In a nutshell:
- Wear dark clothes in winter because they absorb more solar energy
- Choose lighter-color clothes on hot summer days and stay cooler.
DARK COLORS
Dark colors become warmer in winter, even if there is no direct sunlight. Black clothes are the warmest at that time. But do be careful at night, because they can make you difficult for other road users to spot.
BRIGHT COLORS
Bright colors, like pink and yellow are highly reflective, and therefore allow little solar energy through. While anything shiny is even more reflective. There’s only one more question remaining. Will you change the colors of your clothes this winter, now you understand which ones are warmer?
More Information
Solar Energy Experiment to Warm Water
Wonders of Physics Inside Plasma Balls
