Final answer:
Hypothesis (a) is correct; rough black surfaces absorb and radiate heat more effectively than smooth shiny surfaces, which reflect most radiation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question revolves around hypotheses concerning the heat absorption capabilities of different surface types and colors. When investigating the rate of heat transfer by radiation, scientific evidence shows that the color of the object has a significant impact. Black surfaces are the most effective at absorbing heat, while white or shiny silver surfaces are the least effective. Consequently, absorptive surfaces, such as those that are rough and black, will absorb more heat compared to reflective surfaces like smooth and shiny ones. This is because black surfaces not only absorb radiation efficiently but also radiate energy more rapidly than lighter colored surfaces. Therefore, hypothesis (a), which posits that the rough black surface will absorb more heat than the smooth shiny surface, aligns with the scientific evidence provided.