A thermal infrared camera is used to image an Arctic fox in the snow. In the resulting thermal image:

• The sky appears black (the darkest region).
• The snow and the outer surface of the fox's fur appear a similar dark grey.
• The fox's eyes and wet nose appear bright white.

Knowing that darker shades represent lower temperatures, discuss what information this thermal image gives about the temperatures of these different objects.

The outer fur of the Arctic fox is composed of hollow hairs which contain trapped air.

Explain how this structure reduces thermal energy loss by conduction and convection.

Underneath its white fur, the Arctic fox has dark-coloured skin. Explain how the combination of dark skin and white fur reduces the overall rate of thermal energy loss from the fox's body.