Summarize the energy and state changes that occur when freezing rain falls and solidifies on a wire fence.

Answer 1

When freezing rain falls and solidifies on a wire fence, several energy and state changes occur. Firstly, freezing rain is a liquid state of water that falls from the atmosphere. As it comes into contact with the cold wire fence, heat energy is transferred from the rainwater to the fence, causing the temperature of the rainwater to decrease.

As the temperature of the rainwater drops below freezing point, it undergoes a phase change from a liquid to a solid state, turning into ice. This phase change is known as freezing, and it releases latent heat energy into the surroundings.

Once the liquid rainwater has completely solidified into ice on the wire fence, the fence acts as a heat sink and continues to draw heat energy from the ice. This causes the temperature of the ice to decrease even further, resulting in a stronger bond between the ice and the fence.

Overall, the energy and state changes that occur when freezing rain falls and solidifies on a wire fence involve the transfer of heat energy from the rainwater to the fence, the phase change from a liquid to a solid state, and the continued cooling of the ice on the fence.