Why is 0°C ice more effective at cooling a drink than 0°C water of the same mass?

When ice (or ice cold water) is added to a drink, the two substances move towards thermal equilibrium (the point where there is no net energy transfer between the two substances, and they have the same temperature). For this to happen, the ice must warm up, and the drink must cool down. Remember that temperature is a "measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance"... but kinetic energy is not always the only form of energy present in a substance! Ice cold water, in liquid form, contains latent energy (the energy that was required by the ice to change state into water), so already has more energy than the same amount of ice at the same temperature. Therefore, ice cold water is not as good at cooling a drink as solid ice is, because ice starts with less internal energy, so the point of thermal equilibrium is reached more quickly and to a colder temperature.

LW
Answered by Lily W. Physics tutor

20484 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

In some SUVAT questions, they ask for 2 time solutions and I can only find 1. What am I missing?


Can you talk me through how to solve problems on projectiles? I always get confused


A ball is dropped from a 5.0m high window. Assuming air resistance is negligible, calculate the time taken for it to hit the ground.


What's the difference between a bayron and a meson?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning