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What Happens When Ice Melts?
Ice is the name given to any of the 15 known crystalline solid phases of water.Melting is a process that results in the phase change of a substance from a solid to a liquid. The internal energy of a solid substance is increased. The solid absorbs heat from its surroundings. Water ice melts at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). As a piece of water ice melts, the liquid water will drip down off the ice due to the gravity.
Richard Garriott planned to experiment with melting ice, however due to limited time he was unable to complete the activity. What do you think would have happened?
Essential Questions
- Why does ice melt?
- Does gravity effect the speed and shape of a piece of melting ice?
Classroom Activities
Elementary
- Lesson Plan: Melting Ice
- Experiment: Will Melting Icebergs or Polar Caps Raise Sea Levels?
- Experiment: Ice Cream and Air
Middle/High School
- Lesson Plan: The Tasty Phase Change: Making Ice Cream
- Experiment: Melting and Greenhouse Gases
- Experiment: Which Melts Ice Faster: Cold or Boiling Water?
Student Resources
Elementary
Middle/High School
Teacher Resources
