thermodynamics

Here in the north country, there are always interesting lessons in thermodynamics at this time of year. There are places where the snow is gone. There are places where the snow remains. It is interesting to try to figure out the why's. The angle of the terrain in relation to the sun is a big factor. Snow on south-facing slopes goes away more quickly than snow on north-facing slopes. What are the impacts of sun, wind, and shade? Many areas around buildings show less snow than areas nearby, showing the power of the sun reflecting off of these same buildings. There is a road nearby that runs north and south through a narrow valley. The snow on the west-facing slope disappears faster than the snow on the east-facing slope. I think it's due to the interaction of temperatures and sunlight. The west-facing slopes receive direct sunlight during the afternoons when temperatures are highest. East-facing slopes receive direct sunlight during the mornings when temperatures are lower. It's all very interesting to me.

We ought to view ourselves with the same curiosity and openness with which we study a tree, the sky, or a thought, because we too are linked to the entire universe.
Henri Matisse
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