Why Do Fingers Stick to Cold Surfaces Like Ice and Metal?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of fingers sticking to cold surfaces, such as ice and metal. Participants explore the underlying reasons for this occurrence, considering aspects related to moisture and temperature interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes personal experiences with fingers sticking to cold surfaces and mentions similar occurrences with door knobs and tongues on metal posts.
  • Another participant suggests that moisture on the unfrozen object may freeze upon contact with a colder surface, potentially explaining the sticking effect.
  • A different viewpoint proposes that the moisture from the skin itself may freeze and bond with the frozen moisture layer of the object.
  • A later reply indicates that this explanation could account for why a tongue might stick more firmly than fingers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple hypotheses regarding the sticking phenomenon, indicating that there is no consensus on a single explanation. Various ideas about moisture and temperature interactions are discussed without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the conditions under which sticking occurs, such as the temperature of the surfaces and the presence of moisture, remain unexamined. The discussion does not clarify the specific conditions that lead to the sticking effect.

likephysics
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I was taking out a steel jug from the freezer and my fingers really stuck to the outside of the jug. It's not the first time this has happened. Door knobs stick too. I know someone who got his tongue stuck on metal post. Some times ice cubes stick too. They have a snowy layer when they do. I am not sure if its always like that.
But I never really thought about why they stick.
 
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Likely a bit of moisture on the unfrozen object suddenly freezes from contact with the frozen object...like a drop of water landing on a frozen object...if the frozen object is cold enough it will freeze the moisture...but if the frozen object at at exactly 32 degrees F, the added moisture might melt a tiny portion of the frozen object instead.
 
My guess... the moisture of your skin freezes and bonds with the frozen moisture layer of the item.

Opps. Naty1 beat me to it :)
 
Great. That would explain why the tongue would stick harder.
 

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