186 ABSORPTION. 



Q. Why does a KETTLE boil faster, when the 

 bottom and back are COVERED with SOOT? 



A. The black soot absorbs heat very 

 quickly from the fire, and the metal 

 conducts it to the water. 



Q. Why will not a NEW KETTLE boil so fast 

 as an OLD one ? 



A. Because the bottom and sides of a 

 new kettle are clean and bright ; but in 

 an old kettle are covered with soot. 



Q. Why would the KETTLE be SLOWER BOILING, 

 if the BOTTOM and BACK were CLEAN and bright ? 



A. Bright metal does not absorb heat, 

 but reflect it (i. e. throw the heat back 

 again) ; and as the heat is thrown off 

 from the surface of bright metal, therefore, 

 a new kettle is longer boiling. 



Q. Wliy do we wear WHITE LINEN and a 

 BLACK outer DRESS, if we want to be warm ? 



A- The black outer dress quickly 

 absorbs heat from the sun, and conveys it 

 to the body ; and the white linen (being 

 a bad absorbent) abstracts no heat from 

 the warm body. 



Q. Why do persons WEAR WHITE dresses in 

 SUMMER time ? 



