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This month’s quiz is all about the Decembery business of keeping warm, and why you should! If you’re on fire with your answers, you stand to win one of four fake furry (not green) polar bear hot water bottles to snuggle up to on a bleak mid winter’s night. Hmmmm….
Wishing you a high degree of success,
Warmest regards,
Go!
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| 01 |
A polar bear’s fur is made of hollow, transparent hair tubes. This makes them appear white, like a cloud made of transparent water droplets. There have been a number of times when polar bears in zoos have turned green… why was this?
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Green algae grew in their hair.
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They became jealous that the penguins were getting more food.
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They reacted with the copper in the zoo water. |
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Reveal Answer |
| 02 |
At temperatures as low as –60C, how do Emperor penguins keep their eggs warm?
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The males carry them on top of their feet, under a fold of skin and stand in huddles.
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The eggs are kept in a warm water bath made of melted ice.
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Each egg comes out with its own form of fur coat.
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Reveal Answer |
| 03 |
What mammal lives further south than any other?
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The Weddell seal
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The Adelie penguin
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The polar bear |
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Reveal Answer |
| 04 |
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When we are cold, muscles attached to the base of our body hairs pull tight to make the hair stand up, providing a thin layer of warmer air around the body. What is this effect normally known as?
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Chicken wings
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Goose bumps
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Duck feet |
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Reveal Answer |
| 05 |
Recent research has shown that if you allow yourself to get cold you are more likely to develop a common cold. Why is this?
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Coldness reduces the flow of blood – and white blood cells – to the nose. This reduces the body’s defences to the virus.
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A cold virus is more attracted to a person with a lower body temperature.
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Cold viruses can only survive at temperatures a few degrees below body temperature. |
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Reveal Answer |
| 06 |
Which uncovered body part loses the most heat?
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Hands
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Bottom
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Head |
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Reveal Answer |
| 07 |
Is a cloudy night likely to be warmer or colder than a non-cloudy night?
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Warmer – clouds stop heat from escaping into space.
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Colder – the Moon provides about half as much heat as the Sun does.
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There is no difference – clouds have no effect on surface temperature. |
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Reveal Answer |
| 08 |
The UK has warmer and milder winters than its northerly position can explain because of what natural phenomenon?
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The Gulf Stream – warm water flowing across the Atlantic from Mexico
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The Aurora Borealis – the northern lights
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Lunar eclipses |
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Reveal Answer |
| 09 |
A Tog is a measure of thermal resistance – just how insulating something is. What normally comes with a Tog rating?
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A duvet
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A fridge
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An electric heater |
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Reveal Answer |
| 10 |
How does a thermos flask keep a hot drink hot on a cold day?
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It has a special internal heating system powered by batteries.
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It prevents conduction, convection and radiation of heat with its silvered sides and vacuum.
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It works like an inside out fridge, which is why they are very cold to pick up. |
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Reveal Answer |
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