Dark Needle Mound in the Sun
Age 10 · Physics
Sunlight falls on the dark needle mound and warms the needles packed inside. Opening and closing the round doorways lets warm air move, so the mound holds a steady temperature.
This picture is part of the full library
Every lesson is open to everyone for 7 days after it is published. This one came out on September 11, 2026: its text stays readable here, and its picture opens with a subscription.
The app is free. A subscription opens every lesson, in every school year.
Age 10: open this week
Browse Age 10In the picture
- Dark needle surface on the sunny side, where the light lands.
- Round doorway on the sunny slope, standing open, with warm air curling out.
- Round doorway on the shaded slope, filled with a plug of packed needles.
- Air gap between needles inside the mound.
Examples
- A compost heap stays warm inside even on a cold morning.
- A dark stone bench feels hot after the sun has been on it.
Key takeaways
- Dark surfaces soak up sunlight and turn it into heat.
- Opening or closing doorways moves warm air and keeps the temperature steady.
Quiz: Dark Needle Mound in the Sun (Age 10)
-
What does sunlight do when it falls on the dark needle mound?
-
How do the round doorways help the mound keep a steady temperature?
-
What is the purpose of a plug of packed needles in a doorway on the shaded slope?
The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.
Free app, optional subscription
App Store Google Play
Carry on in the app
At least one new illustrated lesson every weekday for your child’s year, with its quiz and a reminder at 6:15 pm.
Your child’s teacher does not use My Enhanced Teacher yet?
Tell them about it