Re: Which snowman melts first, one with a coat on or one without?

Great question, although I am not sure how you will connect this principle with global warming...

The quick answer is the one with the coat will melt more slowly. I realize this answer doesn't sound right at first glance, since we wear coats to stay warmer, not cooler. But here is what is going on: the coat is acting as an insulator, protecting the snowman (or snow-woman) from the surrounding air. If the air temperature is greater than 0C or 32F (i.e. is warmer than the snow), the coat will slow down the rate of heat transfer between the snow and air, slowing the rate at which the snow melts. The same thing is happening when we wear a coat: our bodies (~98F) are warmer than the surrounding winter air, and the coat helps keep that heat from being transferred to or escaping into the cold air.

Good luck with your report!

Kieran