I have two blocks. One is a cold aluminum block and one is a warm composite block. I put an ice cube on each block. Why is it that the aluminum block melts the ice cube faster than the composite?
2007-01-25 07:40:34 · 1 answers · asked by ? 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
The aluminum is better conductor of heat.
Even if the temperature difference between the aluminum and the ice is less than the difference between composite and ice, the transfer of heat will be fastre and more efficient for the aluminum. This makes lots of assumptions about actual size, temperatures, and material specs of all items involved. Also, the cold aluminum block *must* be warmer than the ice for this to work. There will be a breakeven point where the effect of aluminum at some temperature is equal to that of the block at another temperature.
2007-01-25 07:56:37 · answer #1 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋