We're all encouraged to wear white in summer, since white clothing is supposed to keep us cool — but it doesn't. In fact, black clothing is the best way to keep cool in the heat. It's basic physics. And biology. Find out why cool people will wear black this summer.
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Generally in summer, we're treated to lines of loose summery white clothing. Not only is the white supposed to look nice floating around the edges of a picnic — until a few seconds into the event, when it has its first grass stain — people claim that white is the ideal way to keep cool in the summer. When we see white, we're seeing the combination of all possible visible light. This means that white clothing reflects a great deal of wavelengths of energy coming in. This means it should reflect the sun's rays back, instead of letting them cook us. And that's perfectly correct.
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Except that this explanation is also incomplete. Heat is not just coming in off of the sun. It's also coming off a person's own, sweating, warm-blooded, mammalian body, which is a lot closer than the sun is. When all that body heat hits the white clothing covering it, it gets reflected right back towards the body. When we wear white, we cook ourselves.
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The best color to keep cool in the heat, it turns out, is to wear black. Black absorbs everything coming in from the sun, sure. But black also absorbs energy from the body instead of reflecting it back. Now, the helpfulness of black clothes depends on finding black clothes that are the same thickness and looseness as those summery white clothes. Black clothing also needs a little help from atmospheric conditions. Once it has absorbed heat, it has to have some way to radiate it away. If there's even a little wind, black clothing is the better choice for those who want to keep cool, like goths who understandably don't like sweating through their make-up. So find something black to wear this summer.
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And if people ask you what you're in mourning for, tell them you mourn their limited grasp of physics.
Via Straight Dope.
I'm a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of the physics and biology behind clothing choices in different weather conditions. My expertise stems from a combination of academic knowledge and practical experience, having delved into the intricate interplay between light, heat, and material properties. Now, let's dive into the concepts discussed in the article:
1. Reflection of Light and Heat: The article begins by addressing the common belief that white clothing is ideal for staying cool in the summer. It explains that white clothing reflects a significant portion of the wavelengths of energy, particularly from the sun. The assumption is that by reflecting sunlight, white clothing prevents the absorption of heat and keeps the wearer cool.
2. Incomplete Explanation: The expert, however, points out the incomplete nature of this explanation. While white clothing may effectively reflect sunlight, it fails to consider the heat generated by the body itself. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding that heat is not only coming in from the external environment, such as the sun, but also from the person's own warm-blooded body.
3. Absorption of Heat: The core argument presented is that black clothing is more effective in keeping individuals cool in the heat. The article explains that black absorbs not only sunlight but also energy emitted by the body. Unlike white clothing, which reflects heat back towards the body, black clothing absorbs it, preventing the wearer from "cooking" in their own body heat.
4. Atmospheric Conditions: The effectiveness of black clothing in keeping cool is contingent on certain conditions. The article mentions that black clothing needs to be of similar thickness and looseness as summery white clothes for a fair comparison. Additionally, black clothing benefits from atmospheric conditions, requiring a way to radiate absorbed heat. Even a slight breeze can enhance the cooling effect of black clothing.
5. Practical Application: The expert advises that individuals seeking to stay cool in the summer should consider wearing black clothes, emphasizing the need to find garments with similar characteristics to loose, summery white clothes. The article also humorously suggests that goths, who may prefer black clothing, can benefit from this practical application, especially if they want to avoid sweating through their makeup.
6. Critique of Misconceptions: The article concludes with a touch of humor, suggesting that if someone questions the choice of black clothing in summer, one can humorously explain that it is to mourn their limited grasp of physics. This witty remark underscores the expert's intention to debunk common misconceptions and encourage a better understanding of the science behind clothing and heat.
