Chapter 22, Problem 24A

Visit a snow-covered cemetery and note that the snow does not slope upward against the gravestones but, instead, forms depressions around them, as shown. Make a hypothesis explaining why this is so.

To determine

To Explain:The reason of snow depression around the gravestone in a snow-covered cemetery.

Answer to Problem 24A

The gravestone absorbs the light directly and so the snow melts down.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The gravestone has a smooth vertical surface which stands straight against the sunlight.

The gravestone being a good conductor of heat, absorbs the heat energy from the sunlight and transfers it towards its base through the process of conduction and so it does not allow any snow to stay because of being at a higher temperature. The higher temperature of gravestone melts down snow from it and accumulate downwards at the sides forming depressions.

Conclusion:

Hence, the gravestone absorbs the sunlight directly and so the snow melts down.