At 03:34 PM 1/26/2009, George Frantz wrote, in part: >By clearing as much snow as possible off the walks is very effective >because although we may not notice it on our bodies, darker surfaces >such as asphalt and concrete do absorb a surprising amount of solar >energy, even in below freezing temperatures. They thus are capable >of melting snow and ice from below, on even 0 degree (but sunny) >days, if sunlight can penetrate the ice and snow layer.
Dear Friends--A minor technical point. For the most part, the thin layers of ice sublime rather than melt. When the air is cold and extremely dry, which it often is here in the winter, the water molecules in ice go directly into the air as a gas without melting. It's a good thing too, as both George and Margaret have pointed out. Enjoy your winter wonder land. Tom ****************************************** Tom Shelley 118 E. Court St. Ithaca, NY 14850 607 342-0864 [email protected] http://www.myspace.com/99319958 (Last updated 12-22-08.) http://www.facebook.com/129295929#/home.php (Just updated 1-14-09.) Compost Educator and Sustainability Scion* What Does Zero Waste Mean? "If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned, or removed from production." Berkeley Zero Waste Resolution See http://www.cityofberkeley.info/council8/newsletter.pdf *noun: a shoot or bud of a plant, esp. one for planting or grafting _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins Questions about the list? ask [email protected] free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
