which do u think would melt ice faster: A pot of hot water or a tub of warm water?

Posted by admin on May 25th, 2010 and filed under hot water pot | 1 Comment »

i saw this question in my earth science and thats all it said.

The answer will depend on the volumes of hot and warm water and the mass of the ice to be melted.

Certainly, the heat will transfer from hot water to ice more quickly than from just warm water. However, once the hot water cools to the same temperature as the warm water, the rate of heat transfer is the same. After that, if the smaller vessel becomes colder than the tub, the heat transfer will be slower.

Thus, the question needs to be more specific about the mass of the ice, the volumes of the pot and tub, and the temperatures of the water in the two vessels.

One Response

  1. scottsdalehigh64 Says:

    The answer will depend on the volumes of hot and warm water and the mass of the ice to be melted.

    Certainly, the heat will transfer from hot water to ice more quickly than from just warm water. However, once the hot water cools to the same temperature as the warm water, the rate of heat transfer is the same. After that, if the smaller vessel becomes colder than the tub, the heat transfer will be slower.

    Thus, the question needs to be more specific about the mass of the ice, the volumes of the pot and tub, and the temperatures of the water in the two vessels.
    References :

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