Introduction
Ice and its changes are an important part of the water cycle. In this activity, we鈥檒l watch the melting of ice at different temperatures and in different conditions.
Safety Suggestions
- Safety goggles required
- Caution: warm liquids
- Do not eat or drink any of the materials used in this activity
Safety First! Read the聽Science Safety Tips聽to find important practices for kids and chemists to do before, during, and after every chemistry activity.
Materials Required
- Two tall, clear plastic cups (10 ounces or 300 mL)
- Two pitchers, one with 8 cups聽(2 L) of cool water and the other with 8 cups of very warm tap water (make sure its temperature is below 110 掳F, or 43 掳C)
- 4-6 ice cubes of the same size and shape (13-15 grams works well)
- Thermometers
- Kitchen timer
- Kitchen strainer
- Cloth or paper towels
Procedure
Part 1: Melting in still water, different temperatures
- Set up one cup of cool water and one of warm water, with 8 ounces (240 mL) of water in each cup.
- Try to predict what will happen when you place an ice cube in the two cups.
- Measure and record the starting temperature of the water in each container.
- Add one ice cube to each container. Time how long it takes for the ice cube to completely melt.
- Measure and record the temperature of the water in each container once the ice has completely melted.
Part 2: Melting in flowing water, different temperatures
- Try to predict what will happen when you slowly pour water from the two pitchers over the ice cubes in the strainer.
- Measure and record the temperature of the water in each pitcher.
- Place an ice cube in a strainer over the sink and slowly pour the warm water in the pitcher over the ice cube. Time how long it takes for the ice cube to completely melt.
- Place another ice cube in the strainer and slowly pour the cooler water over it until it completely melts, and time how long it takes.
Be a Water Saver!
Instead of pouring the leftover used water from this activity down the drain, try using it to water a plant or in another activity!
What did you observe?
Part 1: The ice cube takes longer to melt in the container that has the cooler water. The temperature of the water in the container may not change much, depending on the amount of water used, the size of the ice cube, and the type of thermometer you use.
Part 2: Similar to Part 1, the ice cube will take longer to melt when cooler water is poured on it, but the time will be less than seen in Part 1.
How does it work?
When glacier ice melts and its water reaches the ground below the ice, it forms a river that flows to the ocean. The side of the glacier melts from the bottom up, creating an overhang of ice that can break off (this is called calving). This quickly adds more ice to the ocean. When glacier ice is exposed to running water, it will melt more quickly. If it is in still water, it will melt more slowly. Warmer conditions melt ice more quickly than when it is colder.聽聽
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