Ice Cube Melting Time: 1 vs 4/Hundreds

[iDimension]

Hello,

If I had 1 ice cube and 4 smaller ice cubes each 1/4 smaller than the first ice cube, would they melt at the same speed assuming both are tested under the same conditions?

Another way to put it would be if I had a 1 ton ice cube and hundreds of smaller ice cubes equalling 1 ton in weight, would both samples melt at the same speed?

Thanks.

 

[.Scott]

We are assuming that they are melting because they are giving off heat to the environment around them.
With more surface area, the rate of heat transfer would be greater and so the melting would be greater.
Smaller objects have a larger surface to volume ratio - so they melt faster.

 

[stefan r]

We are assuming that they are melting because they are giving off heat to the environment around them.
With more surface area, the rate of heat transfer would be greater and so the melting would be greater.
Smaller objects have a larger surface to volume ratio - so they melt faster.

In most cases what .scott said.

Reverse could be also true and the small ice cubes grow faster. Or sublime.

Suppose we put the ice cubes inside of a closed container of water which is in a room at 25C the melting will mostly be determined by the surface of the container. If the closed container is insulated and/or the water is mixed the melt rates will be nearly the same.