Chemistry- Basic Energy Transfer Questions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of energy transfer during the melting of ice, specifically addressing why temperature remains constant during this phase change, the nature of energy transfer, and the interactions between ice and water at 0 degrees Celsius. It includes theoretical and conceptual inquiries related to chemistry and thermodynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why no temperature change occurs while ice is melting, particularly when little ice remains and water stays at 0 degrees Celsius.
  • Another participant suggests that smaller pieces of ice receive less energy per unit of time compared to larger pieces due to differences in surface area affecting energy transfer.
  • There is a query about whether the heat causes particles to move with enough force to escape attraction or if it destroys chemical bonds holding solid water particles together.
  • A participant proposes that the temperature of the mixture is an equilibrium situation, where the amount of ice remains constant while melting occurs, implying that the water temperature can vary during this process.
  • One participant reflects on the role of thermal energy transfer from liquid water particles to solid ice particles, suggesting that this transfer is crucial for phase change.
  • Another participant distinguishes between ice particles pulling apart and the concept of bonds disintegrating, indicating a nuanced understanding of the melting process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanisms of energy transfer and the implications of temperature during the melting process. There is no consensus on the specific nature of energy transfer or the definitions of the processes involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference concepts such as surface area affecting energy transfer and the equilibrium state of temperature in mixtures, but these ideas remain under discussion without definitive conclusions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in thermodynamics, phase changes, and the principles of energy transfer in physical chemistry.

uestions
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Why does no temperature change occur while ice is melting? Specifially, when very little ice is left, how does so much water remain at 0 degrees celsius?

Is the energy transfer (of heat) to ice constant? Specifically, does the time range in an exponential manner for different sizes of ice to melt? (Say a large chunk of ice is put over a flame. When it gets to be 1/6 of its original size form melting, does the liquid water surrounding the cube transfer more energy to the small cube because there is so much water to give energy that at the beginning of melting when there was less water?)

When given the explanation "the heat energy breaks down the bonds that hold the particles together," what does "break down" mean? (Does the heat cause particles to move with so much force that they escape attraction, or does heat actually destroy some chemical bond holding solid water particles together?)

Is the temperature of ice water an average of the liquid water and ice (i.e. ice = -0.5 degrees celsius and water = 0.5 degrees celsius) or are ice and water both have averages of 0 degrees celsius and therefore average to 0 degrees?



I thought about this stuff and looked online, but all answers were the same. I think velocity has to do with causing phase change, and I'm missing something in understanding the lack of temperature change. All I can think of is the liquid water particles collide with ice and transfer energy to ice causing ice to melt. But, them the melting times for different sizes of ice wouldn't be constant because with more ice melted, there would be more water to transfer energy, and then the small ice chunk would melt quicker. On the same point, chemistry equations and heating curves state otherwise.
As for temperature, I think again the thermall energy form the liquid water particles would "transfer" to solid water particles, the solid then gaining phase energy.
Anyone willing to help?
 
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uestions said:
Say a large chunk of ice is put over a flame. When it gets to be 1/6 of its original size form melting, does the liquid water surrounding the cube transfer more energy to the small cube because there is so much water to give energy that at the beginning of melting when there was less water?

Quite the opposite - smaller piece of ice gets less energy per unit of time than the large one, as as energy transfer takes place through the ice surface, and smaller piece has a smaller surface than the large one.

Does the heat cause particles to move with so much force that they escape attraction, or does heat actually destroy some chemical bond holding solid water particles together?

Is there a difference between both scenarios?

When we say the bath has a temperature of 0°C we refer to the equilibrium situation, when the amount of ice in the mixture is staying constant. As long as the ice is melting, water temperature can be not not zero. Otherwise, if they had both exactly the same temperature there would be by definition no energy transfer - so no melting would be possible.
 
Thank you!
 
The difference between scenarios is ice particles pull themselves apart compared to a bond "disintegrating" and then particles are free to separate.
 

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