Ice at 0 °C cools a drink more than the same mass of water at 0 °C does. Why?

Ice is actually colder than 0 °CCorrect answerYour answerMelting ice absorbs latent heat from the drink without getting any warmerCorrect answerYour answerIce has a higher specific heat than waterCorrect answerYour answerIce floats, so it cools the top of the drink fasterCorrect answerYour answer

Show the answer and explanation

CorrectNot quiteAnswer B

Correct answer: B

To melt, each gram of ice takes about 334 J from its surroundings while staying at 0 °C.
Water at 0 °C has no such store to take in; it only warms up. So ice removes much more heat from the drink.

Worth noting

The ice in the question is at 0 °C, the same as the water; the difference is the heat needed for melting.

Concept: Latent heat of fusion
Typical timeTypical: 90 s
Your timeYours: —

The rule this testsHeat and temperature

Practise this chapter →

Ten questions from Everyday Physics, at your own pace.

Ice at 0 °C cools a drink more than the same mass of water at 0 °C does. Why?

Explanation