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

21067 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A stationary radium atom decays, emiting an alpha particle. Why is the recoil speed of the nucleus small compared to the alpha particle?


Two forces of 4N and 10N act on a body. Which of the following could not be the resultant magnitude? (14N, 7N, 6N, 3N)


The friction coefficient of Formula 1 car tyres are around 1.7 in dry weather. Assuming sufficient power from the engine, calculate the theoretical best 0-100 km/h acceleration time in seconds. (neglect downforce, g=9.81m/s^2)


When light above the threshold frequency of a metal is shone on the metal, photoelectrons are emitted. If the power of the light halves, are the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons and/or the number of photoelectrons altered, and if so, how?


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning