I found this out when I was in 3rd grade, and never got a proper explanation from teachers as to the process.
2007-03-17 21:29:21 · 9 answers · asked by riot 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
If it is a strong AC electromagnet, its alternating magnetic field may build up internal energy in the electronic orbits of the H2O molecule dipoles to make the ice melt faster.
If it is a DC or a permanent magnet, nothing should happen.
2007-03-17 21:47:23 · answer #1 · answered by sciquest 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The explanations involving heat conduction to the ice by the metal of the magnet is probably the correct explanation to your third grade demonstration. Strong magnetic fields raises the melting temperature of ice slightly, so any effect from the field should have slowed the melting not increased it.
http://physicsweb.org/articles/news/8/12/4/1
2007-03-18 00:09:44 · answer #2 · answered by meg 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't have anything to do with magnetism!
The magnet, which is made out of metal, is a better heat conductor than the air is. If you touch the magnet after it has been in contact with the ice for a while, you will find that it is MUCH colder than the air around it.
That's why I cool a hot cup of coffee by sticking a metal spoon into it. When the spoon gets hot I take it out. When it cools off, I put it back into the coffee.
In the case of the ice, the heat flows from the magnet to the ice. In the case of the coffee, the heat flows from the coffee to the spoon.
It could be that one of the objectives of the experiment (which your teacher failed to grasp) was sorting out RELEVANT data from IRRELEVANT data.
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2007-03-17 22:10:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well your magnet would cause a disturbance with the ions which are close by, that disturbance or magnetic activity is causing ions in the immediate area to move, and when ions move it creates what we know as heat in this case it would be just slightly warmer than the rest of the air. Therefor the ice cube would melt faster than one not in front of a magnet.
2007-03-17 21:43:54 · answer #4 · answered by jsliat 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you touched it to the magnet, the heat in the magnet will melt the ice cube since metal is a good conductor of heat. Otherwise, I have no idea.
2007-03-17 21:40:43 · answer #5 · answered by novangelis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It must have something to do with the magnets energy waves
2007-03-17 21:32:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Force, or magic dust, or maybe something with polarity of the molecules. I don't really know.
2007-03-17 21:38:12 · answer #7 · answered by superhappyfunman! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
aah bro!!! does it? Now you making sound and look stupid, I feel I have been wasting my time studying.... NOOOOOOO!
2007-03-17 21:32:54 · answer #8 · answered by Mac-C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
id like to know that too.
2007-03-17 21:32:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋