I've been having this debate with my boss at work. I'm a sports coach and I mostly work outside. Our uniform is black with white writing and this week the sun was scorching! I text my manager saying he needs to buy a uniform in the opposite colours (white with black writing) to which he replied the black absorbs heat and stops it affecting the body. To which I replied that white reflects the light and stops the heat getting to the body in the first place. Can someone please let me know who's right-hopefully so I can gloat!!!
2007-05-25 02:11:43 · 41 answers · asked by Nduka O 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Black is a perfect absorber/emitter of energy, so on a hot day, black makes you the hottest. So wear white.
2007-05-25 04:49:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You were certainly right. White reflects the heat thus keeping you cooler. Black absorbs the heat which results in your body temperature rising. Go ahead and gloat!!!
2007-05-27 11:02:57 · answer #2 · answered by Caz Mc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
White, it is a scientific fact. You need an all white uniform. Black absorbs the heat, drawing more into your body! I don't even let my children wear black t shirts outside to play in the summer!
You are absolutely right. I cannot imagine your boss not knowing this!
2007-05-25 02:19:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Wowww!!! Applause for your manager with that stupid theory!!! White is cooler of course. The more light a color absorbs, the more thermal energy it produces. Black fabric absorbs all colors of light and is therefore warmer than white fabric which reflects all colors (spectrum). If your manager keeps think that he's right, told him to wear the black uniform under the sun!!!
2007-05-25 02:28:17 · answer #4 · answered by skuby 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if it's going to be tight against the body, get white. if it's going to be loose around the body, get black. The physics behind it is that black DOES get hotter, but if worn loose (very loose) the black clothing heats up and drags cool air from underneath so it's cooler. But if it's worn tight, then the heat just transfers to the body. You're talking about a sports uniform, therefore it's probably tight, so, FOR SURE get white.
2007-05-25 02:19:01 · answer #5 · answered by electric 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
white in the summer definitely
its a known fact that black is a good absorber of heat and white reflects it
2007-05-26 00:28:16 · answer #6 · answered by ~*tigger*~ ** 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right. You only need to sit in the sun in a pair of black trousers and see how fast the sun rays burn into your legs. White, on the other hand, does reflect heat so is much cooler to wear.
2007-05-25 03:34:41 · answer #7 · answered by katiem 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Seems it depends on wind speed & the clothes being loose fitting...
From the website:
black clothing absorbs sunlight and the heat radiating from your body, but if it is loose-fitting, and there is wind, the wind convects the heat away faster than it is absorbed.
White clothing reflects sunlight, but also reflects internal heat back towards your body, so the net effect under identical conditions is less cooling than if you wore black.
2007-05-25 03:00:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is true that white reflects the light and black absorbs it. My son works outdoors and on hot days would not think of wearing a black shirt to work. From experience he found that lighter colors are far more comfortable. I would say you are correct.
2007-05-25 02:24:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually, white does reflect light during the summer and keep you cooler. Darker colors draw heat in. So go ahead and gloat hun, you are RIGHT!
2007-05-25 02:22:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋