I know that they slip because there is less friction but is there more than that. Why is ice slippery?
2007-06-18 17:45:56 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Why is ice slippery? A century and a half of scientific inquiry has yet to solve this one. It's clear that a thin layer of liquid water on top of solid ice causes the slipperiness. A fluid's mobility makes it difficult to walk on, even if the layer is thin. But there's no consensus as to why ice—unlike most other solids—has such a layer.
Scientists long reasoned that, since water has the unusual property of being less dense as a solid than as a liquid, its melting point can be lowered with an increase in pressure. While this is true, even the sharpest of skates raises the melting point by only a few degrees. The pressure theory doesn't hold water unless the ice is pretty warm already. Something else must be going on.
Some studies suggest that friction from a moving shoe, skate or tire causes the heat necessary to melt the ice beneath it. But what if the shoe isn't moving at all? A second theory proposes that ice inherently has a fluid layer, caused by the motion of surface molecules that have nothing above to bind to and so move around in search of stability. The slippery culprit may be a combination of these two theories.
No car is safe on ice, no matter if it is a 4-wheel drive or not. Ice is dangerous to all vehicles. You cannot get traction from it.
2007-06-18 17:51:55 · answer #1 · answered by Stephanie F 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have heard it once explained as... the friction between the tire and the ice (yes, there still is friction) causes just enough heat to "melt" the part of the ice that the tire is in contact with, thus causing a sort of "mini" hydroplaning. The colder that the ice and surrounding air temperature is, the less likely that that reaction will occur. Think of the "ice road" truckers in Canada and Alaska, that ice, and surrounding air temperature, is so cold that the ice will not "mini melt", even with the increased friction of multi-ton loads, thus not providing the opportunity for those tires to slip.
2007-06-18 17:55:46 · answer #2 · answered by dark_knight_1735 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Friction is caused because of the "mountains and caves", or the imperfect surfaces rub together. The rougher the surface, the more friction is created because when there are more indents and bumps that are microscopic to the human eye rub together, then don't slide across eachother easily. When you rub sand paper together there is an amazing amount of friction because of the rough surface. Ice is relitively frictionless, which is why we slip on ice. The grooves in a surface pretty much stick to another surface which allows us to walk. (When you walk you push on the ground and the ground pushes on you.. but lets not get to that thats a whole other story).
So. When your tires try to get traction on ice, it doesn't work well because there aren't as many (and there are smaller) grooves in the ice than on a regular gravel road.
2007-06-18 18:05:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ice is slippery because of the film of liquid water that forms when a solid object (like a car tire or your foot) presses down on it. The pressure lowers the freezing point on the surface. In very cold weather, ice isn't slippery because the liquid film can't form.
2007-06-18 17:56:15 · answer #4 · answered by Geezer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ice is a much smoother surface than road. Also, there is a layer of water on the ice, and since water is a fluid, it causes less friction that ice or road.
2007-06-18 17:51:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anthony R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the less friction is just a property of the ice. like the density of water is one its properties.
2007-06-18 17:52:02 · answer #6 · answered by Dominic D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You answer you own question. Yes, because of lack of friction when an object moves over it
2007-06-18 17:48:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it quite is why they are referred to as injuries. in case you probably did no longer smash any highway regulations (rushing, reducing off) you will desire to be advantageous. If u have ABS brakes continuously rememer to pump brakes while on ice and not hit hard. 4x4 pass greater advantageous in undesirable climate yet braking continues to be a undergo to handle..they are no longer from now on perfect braking.
2016-09-28 01:57:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
becorse there are a werry thin laier of water on the surface of the ice, so i a way, the car is aquaplaning.
2007-06-18 17:52:07 · answer #9 · answered by Kaj V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cause its a reaction like how u slip on banana skin
2007-06-18 17:50:38 · answer #10 · answered by Shawn L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋