Place a small damp cloth in the Sun. Keep another damp cloth in the shade. Which one do you think will dry first? Why?
The damp cloth placed in the Sun will dry first.
This is because the Sun provides heat energy that evaporates the water from the cloth faster. The cloth in the shade does not receive direct sunlight, so the water evaporates more slowly.
The Sun's heat energy speeds up the drying process.
Explanation
The chapter explains that the Sun gives us light and heat. Activity 3 demonstrates that water kept in sunlight is warmer because the Sun heats it up, showing how sunlight gives us heat energy. This same principle applies to drying clothes—solar heat energy evaporates water faster.
Solution Steps
The damp cloth placed in the Sun will dry first
The Sun provides heat energy that causes faster evaporation of water from the cloth
The cloth in the shade does not receive direct sunlight, so water evaporates more slowly
Solar heat energy accelerates the drying process