That's what I'm doing for my science fair project, but I can't find any information anywhere! I'm not asking you to do my project for me, but I just need some help!
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Will a black or a white mug keep tea or hot chocolate warmer/hotter longer?
February 27th, 2008 · 5 Comments
Tags: Black Tea
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5 responses so far ↓
1 kaysayswhat // Feb, 2008
They will both keep hot chocolate warm the same length of time. The difference would be the temperature of the cup if you left it out in the sun, because sunlight is attracted to the dark color of the mug.
2 The Little Things // Feb, 2008
Artificial light won't make any difference but if it's outside in the sun then yes, it will.
3 Dune // Feb, 2008
You would need two identically made mugs an a precision thermometer to conduct the test.
I think there will be no difference.
4 derfmcsnoot // Feb, 2008
Neither. Color will not affect heat conduction/insulation. The composition (ceramic, stainless steel, glass, etc.) of the mug on the other hand will.
5 Bill W // Feb, 2008
Nice choice for a project. Be sure to control the experiment carefully, such as keeping both mugs in identical surroundings: shielded location, no air currents, identical mugs (except color) etc. Use a precise lab thermometer, and take temperatures at frequent intervals. It would be good to plot a graph of temperature vs. time.
I appreciate that you don't want an answer, just ideas. Good for you!
You may find something interesting. You will be investigating the property of emissivity. All materials give off, or emit, energy by thermal radiation as a result of their temperature. The amount of energy emitted depends on the surface temperature and a property called the emissivity (also called the "emittance"). The emissivity is a number between zero (0) and one (1) at a given wavelength. The higher the emissivity, the greater the emitted radiation at that wavelength. You should start by checking on Google for the subject of emissivity.
You should be aware that there are three modes of heat transfer: conduction (contact between a hot and cold object), convection (for example, cool air moving over a hot object), and radiation (feel the heat coming from a hot object). You want to focus on radiation and the effect that emissivity, in this case black vs. white, has on keeping the mug of hot chocolate warmer longer.
Good luck, you are on the right track.
I'm a mechanical engineer and MS astronomy who has been curious and measuring all my life.
Bill
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