NCERT Questions – 7

Why is ice at 273 K more effective in cooling than water at the same temperature?

Answer:

Ice at 273 K (0°C) is more effective in cooling than water at the same temperature because of latent heat of fusion.

Reason:
  1. Latent Heat Absorption – Ice at 273 K absorbs extra heat (called latent heat of fusion) when it melts into water. This additional heat absorption lowers the surrounding temperature more effectively than water at 273 K, which does not require this extra energy.

  2. Phase Change Effect – When ice melts, it undergoes a phase transition (solid → liquid), which requires energy from the surroundings. This results in greater cooling compared to liquid water at the same temperature, which does not undergo a phase change.

Thus, ice at 273 K provides better cooling than water at the same temperature due to latent heat absorption.

Scroll to Top