You are very observant and have asked an interesting question. The parts of the car that you mentioned have low heat capacity (and thus are easier to cool) and face mainly upward. On a clear night, even if the air temperatures are above freezing, upward-facing surfaces radiate away their heat more quickly to the cloudless sky, and can cool below the freezing point.
Your car probably has a slanted windshield, for better aerodynamics. Much older cars with vertical windshields (and side windows) are less likely to get iced up because they "see" less of the open sky. The ice comes from water vapor in the air, condensing on the below-freezing surface.
It is not a homework,but this is my question and I hope sb to explain it for me:
There is not snow is the area I am living, but in the winter, sometimes I see the ice on my car. I notice that the water is ALWAYS iced at the positions: roof-rack. the lid of the trunk, hood , and windshied. I never see the ice on the different positions even though I park my car in any direction. I don't understand what caused that phenomenon.
Please explain for me. Thank you.
2 answers
Thanh you drwls