188k views
3 votes
On a sunny summer day, why does a white car with a light-colored interior stay cooler than a black car with a dark-colored interior?

Solar radiation reflects off the lighter colours, away from the car, thus keeping the car cool

Solar radiation is absorbed into the lighter colours, keeping the car cool

Solar radiation is absorbed into the darker colours, keeping the car cool

Solar radiation reflects off the darker colours, away from the car, thus keeping the car cool

User Kit Fisto
by
4.3k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer: Solar radiation reflects off the lighter colours, away from the car, thus keeping the car cool

Explanation: This is because lighter colors reflect a good amount of radiation while darker colors absorb it. Just like, Antarctica hasn't completely melted because it reflects a lot of the heat that is acting upon it. Or, you notice that you get hotter when you wear a black shirt opposed to a white one.

User TheJizel
by
5.0k points