Final answer:
Dark materials absorb and emit radiant heat more effectively than light materials, which is why black surfaces get hotter in the day and cooler at night compared to lighter surfaces. so, option C is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The influence of exposed surfaces on radiant heat is significantly affected by the material's color and surface properties. Among the provided choices, C. Dark materials emit and absorb heat more effectively than light materials BEST describes this influence. Materials that are darker in color, like black, are more effective at absorbing and emitting radiant energy compared to lighter colors, such as white. The dark surfaces not only absorb radiant energy more effectively but also emit it more readily. This principle explains why black asphalt is hotter during the day and cooler at night compared to lighter surfaces. Conversely, white or reflective surfaces tend to reflect radiant energy, acting similarly to a mirror and thereby are less effective at absorbing or emitting radiant heat.
Dark materials emit and absorb heat more effectively than light materials. Black is the most effective absorber and radiator, while white is the least effective. When it comes to radiant heat, black surfaces absorb more heat energy and radiate it more rapidly than lighter surfaces. On the other hand, white surfaces reflect most of the radiation like a mirror, making them poor absorbers and radiators.