A. Because it is a very bad conductor; in consequence of which, the earth which is covered with snow, very rarely descends below freezing point, even when the air is 15 or 20 degrees colder.
Q. Why is snow a bad conductor of heat and cold?
A. Because air is confined and entangled between the crystals, and air is a very bad conductor; when, therefore, the earth is covered with snow, it cannot throw off its heat by radiation.
Q. Tell me the words of the psalmist (cxlvii. 16.) respecting snow, and explain what he means.
A. The Psalmist says—“The Lord giveth snow like wool:” and he means not only that snow is as white as wool, but that it is also as warm as wool.
Q. Why is wool warm?
A. Because air is entangled between the fibres of the wool, and air is a bad conductor.
Q. Why is snow warm?
A. Because air is entangled between the crystals of the snow, and air is a bad conductor.