Clay pots have been used for centuries to store and keep water cool in hot weather. This traditional method is still used in many parts of the world. But how does it work?


Clay is a porous material, which means it has tiny holes that allow air and moisture to pass through. When water is poured into a clay pot, the porous surface absorbs some of the water. This water then evaporates from the surface of the pot, taking with it some of the heat from the surrounding area.


The process of evaporation is the key to the cooling effect of a clay pot. When the water on the surface of the pot evaporates, it takes with it some of the heat from the water inside the pot. This cools the water, keeping it at a lower temperature than the surrounding air.


The temperature inside the clay pot is regulated by a combination of factors, including the temperature of the water, the humidity and temperature of the surrounding air, and the porosity of the clay. The porous surface of the clay pot allows for the free exchange of air and moisture, which helps to regulate the temperature inside the pot.


In conclusion, a clay pot keeps water cool in the summer by using the process of evaporation to remove heat from the water. The porous surface of the clay allows for the exchange of air and moisture, which helps to regulate the temperature inside the pot. The result is cool, refreshing water that is perfect for hot summer days.

This is because of evaporation. When a liquid changes to a gaseous (or vapour) state without boiling, it is known as evaporation.The earthen pot is made of mud and has many minute pores (extremely small holes). Through these pores that the water, placed inside the earthen pot oozes out. Now, to evaporate, the water needs to absorb heat, which will change it to vapour.The only way the water oozing out of the earthen pot can turn to vapour is by absorbing heat from the liquid within the earthen pot and the earthen pot itself. Due to this process of continuous absorption of heat from the water inside the matka, in a few hours, this water becomes cool.Glass and metal do not have any pores. So the water placed inside glass and metal vessels cannot seep out and evaporate. Therefore, the water inside remains hot.Similarly, because the sweat, that is oozing out of the pores in our skin, evaporates in the fan’s breeze. The heat needed for the sweat to evaporate is absorbed from the object it comes in contact with (our body) and so we feel cooler.Hope it helps!