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QPages 96-97: Q11: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Heat Transfer Pages 96-97: Q11 Solution: Why is a white dress more comfortable than a dark dress in…

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often think a dark dress feels hotter simply because it is darker, but the real reason is that dark surfaces have higher absorptivity ($\alpha$) for solar radiation, so they absorb more heat. Remember that comfort depends on how much solar energy is absorbed, not just on the color's appearance.

Why is a white dress more comfortable than a dark dress in summer?

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**Answer:** A white dress is more comfortable in summer because it reflects more solar radiation. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** White surfaces have high reflectivity and low absorptivity, so they absorb less heat from sunlight. Dark surfaces absorb more radiation and become hotter, making a white dress more comfortable in summer [citation:13].

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