Just wondering. A science question that popped into my head =)
2006-12-27 16:25:02 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
It has to do with friction, which is very weak on ice, because of its even surface. Also, when it's warmer, a shallow layer of ice melts, forming an water film on the surface of the ice. This weakenes friction even more.
2007-01-03 23:41:21 · answer #1 · answered by Ioana M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the physicist will point to a phenomena called Regelation.
It is the melting under pressure and freezing again when the pressure is reduced. Many textbooks and websites claim that regelation can be demonstrated by looping a fine wire around a block of ice and attaching a heavy weight to it. The pressure exerted on the ice slowly melts it locally, permitting the wire to pass through the entire block. The wire's track will refill as soon as pressure is relieved, so the ice block will remain solid even after wire passes completely through. However, no one has shown how this is possible if a pressure of 500 atm is needed for ice to melt at –4 °C. This experiment is possible for ice at –10 °C or cooler. One cannot explain what is responsible for the above phenomenon if the pressure applied is much less than required.
Regelation was discovered by Michael Faraday. Regelation occurs only for substances, such as ice, that have the property of expanding upon freezing, for the melting points of those substances decrease with increasing external pressure. The melting point of ice falls by 0.0072 °C for each additional atm of pressure applied. For example, a pressure of 500 Atmosphere is needed for ice to melt at –4 °C.
Certainly we are not exerting that kind of pressure, yet the ice melts below our foot to lubricate the movement and causes us to slip. This is really not explained satisfactorily.
2006-12-28 02:25:33 · answer #2 · answered by saudipta c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has long been believed that ice is slippery through fact the stress of an merchandise in touch with it motives a skinny layer to soften. to illustrate, the blade of an ice skate, exerting tension on the ice, melts a skinny layer, offering lubrication between the ice and the blade. This explanation has come into doubt with the suggestion that ice molecules in touch with air can't good bond with the molecules of the mass of ice under (and hence are unfastened to flow like molecules of liquid water). those molecules proceed to be in a semiliquid state, offering lubrication in spite of tension against the ice exerted by using any merchandise 2 selection motives have arisen to take the stress argument's place. One, now greater broadly popular, invokes friction: the rubbing of a skate blade or a shoe backside over ice, in accordance to this view, heats the ice and melts it, coming up a slippery layer. the different, which emerged a decade in the past, rests on the concept perchance the floor of ice is purely slippery. This argument holds that water molecules on the ice floor vibrate greater, through fact there at the instant are not any molecules above them to help carry them in place, and that they hence proceed to be an unfrozen liquid even at temperatures far below freezing.
2016-12-11 17:22:56 · answer #3 · answered by zagel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water is a queer substance that EXPANDS when it freezes, by about 6%. If you put enough pressure on it, it contracts and turns into water (unless it's extremely cold). So, when you walk or skate on ice, the part under foot melts momentarily then freezes again once the pressure is removed and it's the water/ice interface that's slippery.
2006-12-27 21:22:17 · answer #4 · answered by JJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ice itself is not very slippery, it is the water that forms at the interface between ice and you that makes it slippery. The thin layer of water (or melted ice) lubricates the surface and hence you slip.
Take ice skates for instance, the pressure of the skate blade on the ice actually causes the ice to melt temporarily, which lubricates the blade and you go fast.
2006-12-27 16:32:38 · answer #5 · answered by Nick C 1 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not. If you could holf water in you hand like a bat with you fist than ice would not be slippery. its bacause of smothness of the surface of water evenwhen it is in liquid state.
something to do with cohesion
2007-01-04 16:10:54 · answer #6 · answered by secret society 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Low coefficient of friction between the soles of your boots (or your bare feet) and the ice.
2006-12-27 17:55:48 · answer #7 · answered by powhound 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The atoms of water align in a way that creates less friction.
:)
2006-12-27 16:33:07 · answer #8 · answered by arrowroberts 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Frozen water...
2007-01-03 13:21:05 · answer #9 · answered by Marsha 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't know
2006-12-27 18:12:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋