Which of the following is an example of a good radiator of heat?

Study for the Earth Science Regents Exam. Dive into flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Black soil is an excellent radiator of heat due to its properties associated with color and texture. Dark-colored surfaces, such as black soil, have a higher absorptivity and emissivity, meaning they both absorb and emit heat better than lighter-colored surfaces. This characteristic allows black soil to effectively release heat into the surrounding environment, making it a good radiator.

The ability of a material to radiate heat depends on its physical properties, especially its color. Dark colors absorb more solar radiation during the day, and at night they release that heat effectively. This is particularly important in the context of Earth's surface materials and their impact on temperature variations.

In contrast, other materials listed, like snow, stainless steel, and glass, have different thermal properties that do not favor heat radiation as effectively as black soil. For instance, snow tends to reflect light and has a lower emissivity, while stainless steel and glass typically have lower absorptivity and emissivity compared to darker, more textured surfaces. Therefore, black soil stands out as a strong example of a good radiator of heat.

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