Thermal Conductivity - Forming ice under water

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the thermal conductivity and formation of ice under water, specifically deriving the Clausius-Clapeyron Equation and calculating the latent heat of fusion of ice, which is determined to be 3.44 x 105 J kg-1. The rate of formation of ice is calculated using the heat flux equation, yielding a rate of 3.34 x 10-7 m s-1, indicating a slow formation process. The maximum thickness of ice formed is calculated to be 0.51 m, suggesting that a significant portion of a lake could freeze despite the slow rate of ice formation.

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  • Understanding of the Clausius-Clapeyron Equation
  • Knowledge of heat flux equations in thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with latent heat concepts
  • Basic principles of thermal conductivity in different materials
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Students and researchers in thermodynamics, environmental scientists studying ice formation, and engineers involved in thermal management and material science.

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Homework Statement



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Part (a): Derive Clausius-Clapeyron Equation. Find latent heat of fusion of ice.
Part (b): Find rate of formation of ice
Part (c): What is the maximum thickness of ice formed?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Part (a)
I have derived the relation. Using the values, I found that the latent heat of fusion of ice is ##L = 3.44 \times 10^5 J kg^{-1}## which seems right.

Part (b)

Using heat flux ##J = k (\frac{\partial T}{\partial z})##, consider in time ##\delta t## amount of ice ##\Delta m## is formed.

\Delta Q = (\Delta m)L = (JA) \Delta t
\rho (\Delta z)L = \frac{k(T_2-T_1)}{z} \Delta t
\frac{dz}{dt} = \frac{k(T_2-T_1)}{\rho L z}

Taking ##k = 2.3##, ##T_2-T_1 = 0.5##, ##\rho = 1000##, ##L = 3.44 \times 10^5##:

I find that ##\frac{dz}{dt} = 3.34 \times 10^{-7} m s^{-1}##, so ice forms awfully slow.

Part (c)
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In steady state, ## \frac{dQ_1}{dt} = \frac{dQ_2}{dt}##.

Therefore, we equate the heat fluxes:

k_{water} \left(\frac{2}{1-z_f}\right)A = k_{ice}\frac{0.5}{z_f}A

z_f = \frac{k_{ice}}{4k_{water} + k_{ice}} = 0.51 m

It's hard to believe that over half the lake would be frozen, when the rate of formation of ice above (without the interference of the bottom of the lake) is merely ##3.34 \times 10^{-7} m s^{-1}##.
 
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That's about 3 cm/day. That doesn't seem extremely low to me, considering the very low temperature driving force of 0.5 C.

Chet
 
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