Lesson 3.1 - Keeping Warm

A man who lives in a hot climate in the South Pacific made his first visit to Alberta in the winter.  He arrived on a bright, sunny day that was very cold.  He looked at the shining sun and said, "Your sun is very cold here compared to our sun at home." 

Of course, the same sun shines everywhere on Earth.  People who live in northern climates have learned to dress for the weather.   People in cold climates dress so that they keep warm even on very cold days. 

Read page 120 in your textbook to begin learning more about keeping warm.  Then, answer the following.

Question 1. What is the most important insulating factor in clothing that will keep you warm? 

Question 2. What material obtained from birds is used to make very warm clothing?  Why is it such a good insulator? 

Question 3. Fluffy insulation in clothing is important, but another factor is just as important.  What is another important factor in warm clothing?  

Question 4. Why is layering clothing important in keeping warm? 

Question 5. Why are wool and felt such good material for clothing?

 

Check your answers with those that follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers to Questions:

Question 1. What is the most important insulating factor in clothing that will keep you warm? 

Air that is trapped in the material of the clothing is the most important insulating factor in clothing that will keep you warm.

Question 2. What material obtained from birds is used to make very warm clothing? 

Down is the material obtained from birds that is used to make very warm clothing. (It is the fine, fuzzy layer under the duck's or goose's feathers.) Down is such a good insulator because it is fluffy and contains many trapped air spaces that provide the insulation.

Question 3. Fluffy insulation in clothing is important, but another factor is just as important.  What is another important factor in warm clothing?

The windproof outer layer is the other important factor in warm clothing.  This layer prevents the warm air trapped in the fluffy insulator from escaping.

Question 4. Why is layering clothing important in keeping warm?

Layering clothing is important in keeping warm because it is critical that the body stay as dry as possible.  If you do not have enough layers of clothing, you will get cold.  On the other hand, if you have too many layers of clothing, you will get hot and begin to perspire.  Your clothing will get wet and you will get cold.  Therefore, removing or replacing layers as necessary is important to keep your body warm and dry.

Question 5. Why are wool and felt such good material for cold weather clothing?

Wool and felt are such good material for cold weather clothing because they are able to trap many air spaces.  These trapped air spaces make warm clothing.

 


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