Question

A large block of ice is sitting on a thick copper slab. The bottom surface of the slab is maintained at a temperature of 60.0°C. The upper surface, completely in contact with the ice, is at the temperature of the ice, which is 0°C. The slab is 3.90 cm thick, and has an area of 80.0 cm2. Note that copper has a thermal conductivity of 401 W/(mK), aluminum has a thermal conductivity of 237 W/(mK), and the latent heat of fusion of water is 3.35 ✕ 105 J/kg.

(a) The thermal energy flowing through the slab is causing the ice to melt. At what rate is energy being transferred? W

(b) How many grams of the ice are melting every second? g

(c) Which of the following would increase the rate at which the ice melted? Select all that apply.

Use an aluminum slab instead of a copper slab.

Increase the thickness of the slab.

Decrease the thickness of the slab.

Increase the area of the slab. (with the area of the ice in contact with the slab also increased to match)

Decrease the area of the slab. (with the area of the ice in contact with the slab also decreased to match)

Increase the temperature of the bottom of the slab.

Decrease the temperature of the bottom of the slab.

Answer 1