The color of an object is the color it reflects, while absorbing other colors. White reflects all colors in the spectrum, while black absorbs all colors and reflects very little.
Visible white light from the sun consists of seven colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. When white light hits a white object, all the colors are reflected. When white light hits a red object, red is reflected and the other colors are absorbed.
It is believed that humans can see around a million different colors!
In this research, ice cubes are placed on black and white paper plates to demonstrate that a black surface absorbs heat faster than a white surface, which reflects most of the light and heat.
Color and temperature research
You will need to
Two ice cubes of the same size
Black and white paper or cardboard plates.
Timer
Sunny day
Instructions
Find a sunny spot and place one ice cube on a black cardboard square and another on a white cardboard square. Both ice cubes should be exposed to direct sunlight or shade.
Calculate the time it takes for each ice cube to melt.
The photographs show that the ice cube on the black card melted much faster than the one on the white card, which is what we expected to happen. The black card heated up faster than the white card and melted the ice cube more quickly.
Extension tasks
Try the activity again using more colors.
Design a t-shirt for a hot day and think about the best colors to wear. Remember that black absorbs heat and lighter colors reflect it.
More easy science for kids
See first hand How light travels in a straight line with a light maze.
Find out how Make a rainbow on a sunny day.
Discover Where is visible light located in the electromagnetic spectrum?.
Scientific concepts
Light
Electromagnetic spectrum
Vision
Last updated on July 2, 2024 by Emma Vanstone
