Book 13, Question 11
Why Is It Cooler in the Shade than in the Sun?
Shade blocks the direct beams of the Sun. The heat energy in sunlight cannot warm you or the ground there. That is why shade feels cooler than the sunny spot beside it.
More fun facts
- Shade blocks sunlight that would heat you directly.
- Shade also helps against heat given off by hot surfaces like pavement.
- Umbrellas and parasols can keep you much cooler than standing in direct sun.
- The Sun sends energy as visible light, ultraviolet rays and infrared, which we feel as heat.
- On a sunny day, the ground in the shade feels cooler than the ground in the sun.
Sources: National Geographic, NASA, Scientific American
Questions kids ask
Why does an umbrella help on a hot day?
It blocks direct sunlight, which carries a lot of heat.