Emergency space blankets are thin, lightweight sheets with a shiny, silver-colored surface. They are designed to prevent hypothermia by keeping a person warm.
Why does the blanket have a shiny, silver-colored surface?
to absorb thermal energy from the surrounding cold air
to increase the rate of convection near the skin
to reduce energy loss to the ground by conduction
to reflect thermal radiation emitted by the body back to the person
301 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 2.3 Transfer of thermal energy, covering 2.3.1a Thermal conductors and thermal insulators, 2.3.1b Explaining thermal conduction, 2.3.2 Convection, 2.3.3a Thermal radiation, 2.3.3b Surface colour and texture, 2.3.3c Rate of emission and absorption of radiation, and 2.3.4 Consequences of thermal energy transfer. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.