Amazing Ice Melting Blocks

4B20.230 | Bd4
Catalog: 
4B20.230
Location: 
Bd4
Room: 
PS F175
Quantity: 
1
Setup Time: 
30 minutes (need time to get ice cubes)
  • The two blocks look identical but one feels colder than the other yet they are b
    The two blocks look identical but one feels colder than the other yet they are both at room temperature.
  • An ice cube is placed on each block.
    An ice cube is placed on each block.
  • Roughly 30 seconds later.
    Roughly 30 seconds later.
  • After roughly one minute.
    After roughly one minute.
  • Perhaps a minute and a half.
    Perhaps a minute and a half.
  • Two minutes or so.
    Two minutes or so.
  • After two and half minutes the ice cube is melted.
    After two and half minutes the ice cube is melted.
  • Animated GIF
    Animated GIF
Date Added: 
Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - 12:00am
Description: 

Two blocks appear identical. To the touch one feels colder than the other yet both are at room temperature. An ice cube is placed on each and one melts much faster than the other.

Instructions: 


Have a student volunteer hold each block and ask which is warmer and is cooler.
Show that the temperature of both is room temperature.
Place O rings on each block an place ice cubes on the block. The O rings are to keep the ice from sliding off.

Purpose: 
To demonstrate thermal conductivity properties of two objects. One has a high thermal conductivity and the other does not.