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Compact Shape Holds Heat
Age 12 · Physics
For the same mass, a smooth, round body has less skin on the outside than a body stretched into a long neck, tail, and limbs. That smaller skin area lets heat escape more slowly in the cold.
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In the picture
- Smooth rounded flank
- Small side flipper
- Long neck
- Long tail
- Slim front leg
Examples
- A round potato cools more slowly than the same potato cut into thin strips.
- A penguin keeps warm better than a long-legged bird of the same weight.
Key takeaways
- A compact shape has less skin surface for the same mass.
- Less exposed skin means slower heat loss in cold air or water.
Quiz: Compact Shape Holds Heat (Age 12)
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Two animals have the same mass. Why does the compact, rounded one usually lose heat more slowly in the cold?
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Which body shape is best for keeping heat in a cold place?
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If two animals have the same mass, which one will usually cool down fastest?
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