The Science of How Igloos Keep You Warm
The construction of igloos is not just a survival technique; it’s a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability.
What if you were in the heart of the Arctic, where the temperature plummets to 50 degrees below zero? Your survival depends on finding shelter, but trees are scarce, and the only abundant resource is snow. It seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? Using snow, something inherently cold, to stay warm.
Yet, humans have mastered this art for thousands of years, building igloos that turn the icy cold into a cozy haven. But how do these snow structures defy our basic understanding of cold and warmth?
Cold & Heat Transfer
To grasp how igloos work, we first need to understand the basics of heat transfer. Heat moves in three ways: convection, conduction, and radiation (ref). In an igloo, all three play a crucial role.
The people inside radiate body heat, which then circulates via convection and is gradually lost through the walls by conduction. This process is similar to what happens in our homes, albeit with different materials.
