Explaining
what happens
to t he
temperature
of ice as it
melts
1
What we wanted to find out:
As a class, we decided we wanted to find out what
happens to the temperature of ice as it melts.
Our prediction:
We think that our results will show that when the
ice melts, its temperature will rise. This is because
it changes from a solid into a liquid. For this
change to take place we have to heat the ice, either
by leaving it out of the freezer or by putting it on a
cooker ring.
2
Equipment:
Thermometer/straw
Pan
Water
10ml measuring cylinder
Cooker
Freezer
Stopwatch
Writing materials
3
Method:
1. We will put a thermometer in 10ml of water,
which will be in a measuring cylinder and we will
leave the water to freeze around the thermometer.
2. Once the water has frozen to form ice, we will
measure the temperature of the ice before heating it.
3. We will heat it by putting the measuring
cylinder of ice in a pan of boiling water on a
cooker. Our measuring cylinder is heatproof and by
putting it into the water, it will not melt. Our
teacher will be with us at all times to prevent any
accidents such as us burning ourselves.
4. While the ice is heating, we will read the
temperature on the thermometer every 30 seconds.
Our teacher will remove the thermometer when
Ashley says so for safety reasons. By using q
stopwatch to time accurately and by reading the
thermometer carefully, we will make sure that it is
a fair test. James and Josephine will write the
temperatures in a table.
5. We will repeat this test to check our results and
to see if we end up with similar results as before.
4
Results:
As the table and graph show, the temperature of
the water (the melted ice) was raised.
5
Conclusion
Our prediction was incorrect because we thought
that the temperature of the ice would rise as it
melted.
What actually happened was that the
temperature of the water that was created as the ice
melted was raised, not the temperature of the ice.
In our repeat test, we achieved similar results as
before.
To keep water frozen as a solid (ice) we know we
need to keep it below freezing point. When the
temperature is raised it will melt into a liquid.
When it is liquid (water) the temperature will rise,
as our line graph shows.
If we had the chance to do this test again in a
different way, we could use the sensors that are
attached to the computer as our classmates did
when they carried out their ice experiments.
6
How could we apply what we
have learned to every day life?
When we go shopping and buy frozen foods, we
now know that if we allow their temperature to
rise, the ice will melt and the food will defrost.
If we want to keep food for longer without it
going off, we know we have to freeze it so the
temperature stays below freezing point.
This will help us when we buy our own food and
when we cook.
7
Group members:
James
Josephine
Annie
Ashley
School name:
Arnett Hills JMI School, Rickmansworth
8