Does Ice Melt at 0 Degrees Celsius?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter unscientific
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Ice does not strictly melt at 0 degrees Celsius; rather, it exists in a state of equilibrium where both ice and water coexist. This phenomenon is explained by the Clausius-Clapeyron equation, which describes the relationship between pressure and temperature during phase changes. At a constant pressure of 1 atm, ice remains frozen unless energy is added to facilitate melting. The triple point of water, where ice, liquid, and vapor coexist, occurs at 0.01 degrees Celsius, indicating that at 0 degrees Celsius and 1 atm, ice can start to melt if energy is introduced.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Clausius-Clapeyron equation
  • Knowledge of phase transitions in thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with the concept of triple points
  • Basic principles of energy transfer in physical chemistry
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Clausius-Clapeyron equation in detail
  • Study the van der Waals equation of state and its implications for phase behavior
  • Explore the concept of the triple point and its significance in thermodynamics
  • Investigate the energy requirements for phase changes in water
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in chemistry, physics, and environmental science, particularly those interested in thermodynamics and phase transitions of water.

unscientific
Messages
1,728
Reaction score
13
Does ice melt or remain frozen at 0 degree celsius?
 
Science news on Phys.org
He,he,he :Both!
 
Thanks to latent heat (look up Clausius-Clapeyron equation for more details)
 
Are you adding or removing energy (heat)? Are you increasing or decreasing pressure?
 
no energy is removed or added and pressure is at a constant 1 atm.
 
Tehno is right, it does do both. Molecules are constantly joining and departing from the surface at the same time. The ratio stays about the same unless the temp is added or removed.
 
H20 does not have a triple point at atmospheric pressure.
 
  • #10
lol...if that was the case we'd be dead.
 
  • #11
In general there is a coexistence region whereby two phases will be simultaneously present. This happens over an extended temperature range and if predicted by the van der Waals equation of state. I am unsure what this is for water but there is no definite point at which we have either a totally water or totally ice, just proportions of either.
 
  • #12
oops i didnt read that pressure will be constant , sorry... well ice will start melting atzero degree celsius
 
  • #13
so does it remain frozen...or does it start to melt?:confused:
 
  • #14
It takes energy to melt ice. If you don't add any, the ice won't melt.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
8K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 87 ·
3
Replies
87
Views
8K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
15K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
659
Replies
12
Views
1K