Does The Color White Reflect More Heat?

[Chesterton]

The answer always seems to be yes, BECAUSE white reflects more light. But if a white object and a black object were receiving equal amounts of heat, and neither receiving any light, would white reflect more heat?

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say... yes.

 

[prodromos]

White reflects more "visible" light, but I'm not certain what the properties are regarding light in the non visible spectrum.

 

[Chesterton]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say... yes.

Can you elaborate why you'd say yes?

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

Can you elaborate why you'd say yes?

Because if it reflects heat that is transmitted via light in the visible spectrum, then it should therefore reflect light via light in the non-visible spectrum. It doesn't just suddenly stop.

Granted, I'm not saying that it would do it as well as it does visible light and if it would be barely noticeable compared to it, but I don't see a reason why it shouldn't.

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

Seems like an easy experiment to run. Let us know how it goes and what your findings are.

 

[Chesterton]

Seems like an easy experiment to run. Let us know how it goes and what your findings are.

Yeah, I thought about putting two billiard balls in my microwave - the cue ball and the 8 ball, heat them and measure surface temperature. Of course I'd have to remove the light bulb and cover the door of the oven, but I'm lazy and don't really care that much to go to the trouble.