Latent heat comparing ice to wood

AI Thread Summary
Using ice at -10 degrees Celsius is preferable for cooling drinks compared to wood at the same temperature due to the latent heat of ice, which allows it to absorb more heat before melting. While water has a higher specific heat than wood, this is irrelevant in the context of comparing ice and wood directly. The thermal conductivity of water is also higher than that of wood, enhancing its cooling efficiency. Ice's specific heat is lower than that of water, but its latent heat of fusion significantly contributes to its cooling capacity. Overall, ice remains the better choice for maintaining cooler temperatures in a cooler.
smillphysics
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You bought two kilograms of ice at -10 degrees celcius for your cooler when a friend suggests to instead use two kilograms of wood at -10 degrees celsius. Why should you stick with your ice?
Thermal Conductivities Latent Heats Specific Heats
Answer with either Good Reason, True but Irrelevant, Wrong

1.The latent heat of the ice is going to keep your drinks cooler for longer.

2.Water has a higher specific heat.

3.The heat conductivity of water is higher than the heat conductivity of wood.

4.Wood has a higher specific heat.

5.The heat conductivity of wood is higher than the heat conductivity of water.
I answered
1. Good Reason- I thought that the latent heat of ice would keep the cooler colder for longer. I also answered this same set of answers but this one marked as Wrong- but now I have changed it correct.
2. True, but irrelevant- Water does have a higher specific heat than wood so its true but it should be irrelevant because we are talking about ice and wood.
3. Good Reason- This is true I think so my only two options are good, which I answered but is this irrelevant?
4. Wrong- This is not true.
5. Wrong- This is not true.


Any help on where I am going wrong on this question?
Thanks,
 
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You have three numbers to consider with the ice. The specific heat of ice, the heat of fusion ice to water, and specific heat of water. If both the specific heats of water or ice are more than wood, then for any temperature, even above freezing, you will have delivered more cooling to the drinks. Without knowing what wood is relative to both, it may be more challenging to answer.

Roughly speaking ice specific heat is half that of water, and the heat of fusion is 160 more than that needed for a 1 degrees change in ice.
 
I assume you're not a fisherman. Why do you have water in the cooler?
 
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