2007-01-30 16:12:11 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
An ice cube with greater surface area will melt faster.
Ex. 1"x1"x1" will melt 1/2 as fast as 1/2"x1"x2"
Equal volume, but greater surface area. Thinner piece of ice will melt faster. More surface exposed to the atmospheric temperature will result in faster rate if dissipation. This is the case only if the 2 cubes are also equal in density. Ice cubes tend to have air in them. More air in the sample will effect the rate of melting. The cube with more air will generally melt faster. As the pores open up, the surface area is increased, thus allowing it to melt faster.
2007-01-30 16:17:48 · answer #1 · answered by FRANKFUSS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really sure, but I would think so. I would think that the maximum area exposed to warmer air would increase the melting rate. So a shape with the most surface area would melt faster than a shape with the least surface area given that the volume of the "cubes" is the same.
2007-01-31 00:18:40 · answer #2 · answered by dinky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Assuming you're allowing the ice cube to melt in still open air, the more surfaces there are exposed to warmer air, the faster the melting will be. Still air or non-moving air eliminates the effect of evaporation and it's cooling effects.
2007-01-31 00:18:30 · answer #3 · answered by Drey in FLA 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do an experiment. Make up a bunch of different shaped ice cubes & see for you're self.
2007-01-31 00:19:24 · answer #4 · answered by jimbobob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. An irregular shape will have a larger surface area, hence will melt more quickly.
2007-01-31 00:18:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋