Discussion
To answer the original question, does colour serve a practical application outside of aesthetics? Yes!
The relationship between colour and heat absorption can be easily observed, simply by drying clothes in the sunlight. It is a common observation that darker, black clothes seem to become drier, faster than lighter, white clothes. This is because of their ability to absorb sunlight at a faster rate.
In similar fashion (pun intended), it is common to see sporting clothing made out of white, and lighter colours, as opposed to black, which is often used in heat-retaining clothing, such as scarves. However, colour can also serve practical applications outside of clothing. In industry, heat sinks, solar panels and radiators are also made out of block for the exact same reason, that they absorb heat/light at a faster rate.
The relationship between colour and heat absorption can be easily observed, simply by drying clothes in the sunlight. It is a common observation that darker, black clothes seem to become drier, faster than lighter, white clothes. This is because of their ability to absorb sunlight at a faster rate.
In similar fashion (pun intended), it is common to see sporting clothing made out of white, and lighter colours, as opposed to black, which is often used in heat-retaining clothing, such as scarves. However, colour can also serve practical applications outside of clothing. In industry, heat sinks, solar panels and radiators are also made out of block for the exact same reason, that they absorb heat/light at a faster rate.
Wind-Screen Sun Shades
Windscreen Sun ShadesAs can be seen from above, the results of this experiment hold many promising, real world applications, and realistic solutions to problems. But perhaps one of the most significant applications of colour, in relation to heat absorption is in windscreen sun shades.
The purpose of windscreen sun shades is essentially to protect the interior of the car, from heat through sunlight. As the name implies, it is a cover which goes over the top of a car’s windscreen. With many cars, parked in the open, during the hot summer, and black or black leather being quite common amongst modern cars, the windscreen sun-shade is incredibly significant.
Working, based on remarkably simplistic principles, demonstrated in the experiment before, the windscreen sun shade is made up of an insulator (e.g. foam), and is often very light in colour (e.g. silver) and incredibly reflective. This means that very little light or heat is absorbed, and most of the light energy or heat energy is reflected.
The purpose of windscreen sun shades is essentially to protect the interior of the car, from heat through sunlight. As the name implies, it is a cover which goes over the top of a car’s windscreen. With many cars, parked in the open, during the hot summer, and black or black leather being quite common amongst modern cars, the windscreen sun-shade is incredibly significant.
Working, based on remarkably simplistic principles, demonstrated in the experiment before, the windscreen sun shade is made up of an insulator (e.g. foam), and is often very light in colour (e.g. silver) and incredibly reflective. This means that very little light or heat is absorbed, and most of the light energy or heat energy is reflected.