Solving Melting Ice Cube Model: Help Needed!

In summary, a student is seeking help with a thermodynamics problem involving the melting of an ice cube. The problem becomes more complex as the ice melts and creates a pool of water, and other factors such as heat conduction and radiation heating must be considered. A possible solution is to place the ice on a grating to allow the water to drip off and only focus on air convection. A simple experiment could involve using a calorimeter.
  • #1
kimmyS
1
0
Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. I am taking an undergraduate thermodynamics course and got stumped by this problem. I found this forum and figured that someone here would be able to help me with this! :tongue2:

Homework Statement


Develop a model for melting of an ice cube. What assumptions can/need to be made? What is difficult about this problem? What type of simple experiment could be conducted to test the solution?

Homework Equations


Which equations would be appropriate to develop this model?

The Attempt at a Solution


Initially you only have convection of the air around the ice cube to worry about. However, as the ice melts, you have a growing pool of water developing around the ice cube that changes temperature with time. This complicates matters even more. One way to simplify this would be to put the ice on a grating to allow the water to drip off. Then you only need to worry about the air convection.

Please, any help would be great! Thanks! :smile:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Some more complications:

The ice cube changes shape as it melts.

There will be evaporation of the film of water covering the cube.
 
  • #3
more complications
Heat conduction from the surface it is sitting upon.
Radiation heating if it is in a lit area.

Simple experiment, do the whole thing in a calorimeter.
 

1. What is the melting ice cube model and why is it important?

The melting ice cube model is a scientific model used to understand the process of melting ice. It is important because it helps us understand the factors that contribute to melting ice, such as temperature, pressure, and material properties.

2. How do you solve the melting ice cube model?

The melting ice cube model can be solved using principles from thermodynamics and heat transfer. By analyzing the temperature, pressure, and properties of the materials involved, we can determine the rate at which the ice cube will melt.

3. What are the main factors that affect the melting of an ice cube?

The main factors that affect the melting of an ice cube include temperature, pressure, and the properties of the materials involved. Other factors, such as air flow and the presence of impurities, can also contribute to the melting process.

4. How can the melting ice cube model be applied to real-world situations?

The melting ice cube model can be applied to many real-world situations, such as predicting the melting of glaciers and ice caps due to climate change, designing refrigeration systems, and understanding the cooling process in food preservation.

5. Are there any limitations to the melting ice cube model?

Like any scientific model, the melting ice cube model has its limitations. It assumes ideal conditions and does not account for external factors that may affect the melting process. It is also not applicable to all types of ice and may not accurately predict melting in complex systems.

Similar threads

Find the fractional increase in inertial mass when an ice cube melts
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
2K
Should ice take longer to melt when used to run a heat engine?
    • Thermodynamics
3
Replies
87
Views
5K
Exploring the Melting of an Ice Cube in Water
    • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
2K
B Melting Ice Caps and Sea Level Rise: Separating Fact from Fiction
    • Other Physics Topics
Replies
11
Views
12K
Calculate the Mass of Ice cubes needed to cool a soft drink
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
2K
Solving Heat Transfer Problem with Melting Ice Cube
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
Answer: Terminal Temperature of Water with Ice Cube
    • Mechanics
Replies
6
Views
2K
Exploring the Ratio of Melting Ice Cubes
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
1K
I The amount of time it will take to melt ice
    • Other Physics Topics
Replies
4
Views
3K
Thermodynamics Ice Melting Question
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top