Science Smarts: Cool science

By PATTY ROOKS on August 20, 2022.

I do not know about you, but I am in desperate need to find some way to cool off on these HOT summer days!

Of course, I turned to science to help me out. This experiment is a great way to cool off for a little bit as the hot summer sun continues its presence in southeastern Alberta. Let’s get started!

Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

• One pair of socks (preferably clean ones!)

• Large plastic tray

• Water

• Sunny day

• Chair

• Stool to put your feet on

Procedure

1. Set your chair in a nice sunny location.

2. Take the large plastic tray outside.

3. Fill the tray with water.

4. Place the tray beside your chair.

5. Take one of the socks and wet it in the tray of water. Squeeze out a little bit of the extra so it does not drip all over.

6. Sit in the chair.

7. Put the wet sock on one foot.

8. Place the dry sock on the other foot. Be careful you do not step in any of the water from the wet sock.

9. Relax with your feet directly in the sun.

10. Do you feel anything? Explain.

What is going on?

In this experiment, the wet sock should eventually begin to feel cooler on your foot. The reason it begins to feel cooler is due to evaporation. Evaporation is a special science term that many of you will probably learn about this school year.

Evaporation occurs when a liquid is changed into a gas. In this instance the liquid water from your sock is turned into a gaseous form of water. As the water evaporates from your wet sock, it is actually using up the heat that the sun is projecting downward. As the heat is used up, the sock begins to feel cooler.

Can you think of any other examples of evaporation?

Mark your calendars, the Praxis AGM will be held on Friday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Kiwanis Centre in Medicine Hat. We are always looking for board members and volunteers. We would love to have you join us, please email or call for more details on attending.

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact with Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.

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