An ice cube melts in cold water due to the principles of heat transfer and thermal equilibrium. Here’s how it works:
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Temperature Difference: Even if the water is cold, it is usually at a temperature above freezing (0°C or 32°F). The ice cube, which is at or below 0°C, is in contact with the water, which has a higher temperature.
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Heat Transfer: Heat flows from a warmer object to a cooler one until thermal equilibrium is reached. In this case, heat moves from the warmer water to the colder ice cube. As the ice receives heat energy, it begins to change from solid ice (which has a structured crystalline form) to liquid water.
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Phase Change: The process of melting involves a phase change. When the ice cube absorbs enough heat, it reaches its melting point and starts to change its state from solid to liquid. This continues until the ice has completely melted, assuming there’s enough heat from the water to facilitate this process.
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Dilution Factor: If the water is significantly colder than the environment but still above freezing, it will initially lose heat to the ice cube. However, as more ice melts, the overall temperature of the water may drop slightly, but the ice continues to absorb heat from the water.
Thus, the ice cube melts in a cold glass of water because heat is transferred from the water to the ice, resulting in the ice absorbing energy and changing to liquid water.
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