Question

Several days after the end of a snowstorm, the roof of one house is still completely covered with snow, and another house's roof has no snow cover. Which house is most likely better insulated?

Short answer

Answer: The house with a snow-covered roof is most likely better insulated, as the presence of snow indicates that less heat is lost from the house, allowing the snow to remain intact.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding insulation

Insulation refers to a material's ability to reduce heat transfer. In the context of a house, better insulation implies that less heat is lost from the inside of the house to the environment outside, resulting in more stable room temperatures and lower heating costs.

Analyzing the effect of snow on insulation

Snow is a good insulator because it traps air within its structure, slowing down the movement of heat and reducing heat loss from the house to the environment. When a house's roof is covered with snow, it forms an additional layer of insulation. Thus, a snowy roof indicates that the house is able to retain heat better than a house with no snow cover.

Considering other factors

Keep in mind that there might be other factors affecting the presence or absence of snow on the roof, such as the angle and orientation of the roof, the presence of nearby trees, or even the amount of snowfall in the area. However, assuming that these factors are constant, we can make an informed conclusion based on the information provided.

Determining the better-insulated house

Based on the analysis in steps 1 to 3, we can conclude that the house with a snow-covered roof is most likely better insulated than the house with no snow cover. This is because the presence of snow on the roof indicates that less heat is lost from the house, allowing the snow to remain intact.