Science experiment: Which colors are hotter?

Have you ever wondered why you should not wear black in summer? Or why you feel hotter in black than white? This science experiment will help you to determine exactly why black and white truly are oposites.

Number of players:

1+

What you need:

• 2 glasses
• water
• white paper
• black paper
• 2 rubber bands

Activity:

Cover the edges of one glass with white paper and the other glass with black paper.

Secure both pieces of paper with a rubber band.

Fill the glasses with the same amount of water in each.

Leave the glasses in the sun for a couple of hours.

When you return, measure the temperatures of the water in both glasses with your thermometer.

Result:
The glass of water with the black paper should be hotter than the other glass of water.

Why?:
Because dark surfaces (such as the black paper) absorb more heat and lighter surfaces (such as the white paper) reflect more light.