Again, all this would be a very hard thing to see firsthand in an experiment. So it stands as a hypothesis for now. Even though there would still be a tiny liquid layer on the ice, it would take too much friction to generate enough heat to melt anything else. Also, below this temperature, the tiny liquid layer on top of ice becomes harder and harder to detect. It would be like skating on gravel.
Case closed. But I was left wondering: Are there any other surfaces we could skate on? Mercury freezes at It would take far too much energy to keep a rink of mercury that cold. Plus, mercury is a potent neurotoxin. What about gallium? But just imagine skaters doing triple axels on a silvery mirror gallium surface. When aluminum interacts with gallium it becomes very brittle. Though solid gallium would be more slippery near its melting point, would it be slippery enough for ice skating?
Or easy enough to plow through? Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment: to empower through understanding. Financial contributions from our readers are a critical part of supporting our resource-intensive work and help us keep our journalism free for all. Please consider making a contribution to Vox today to help us keep our work free for all.
Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. The surprising science of why ice is so slippery. Share this story Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share All sharing options Share All sharing options for: The surprising science of why ice is so slippery.
In select cases, wax can actually control slip. If improperly maintained, however, the potential for slipping may increase, particularly if the surface becomes wet. Likewise, other floor treatments can significantly increase slip factor. This is often true of lubricating sprays, especially if applied in excess. In reality, however, solvents are more complicated than they appear. High-alkaline solutions, for example, may reduce friction by leaving behind a soapy residue if not properly rinsed.
Experts from the National Floor Safety Institute recommend non-alkaline cleaners that emulsify grease and rinse freely. In such cases, negligence means failing to take measures that would maximize friction and keep us safe. Slip and fall cases can be tough.
Many times there is fault with multiple parties. Reach out to the personal injury attorneys at the Smiley Law Firm to see if your slip and fall injury is one that can be compensated by the at-fault party. Did you or a loved one suffer an injury in a slip and fall accident?
If you're only interested in programs, subscribe to The Weekly Five , which outlines the five must-do programs each week. Signing up for either newsletter is easy and free of charge. Let technology enhance your outdoor adventures with these apps recommended by Forest Preserve District interpretive naturalists. Read More. The Citizen The Weekly Five. The Buzz.
What's The Difference: Biodegradable Vs. Make sure you do your homework. I never thought there could be liquid in a solid and the solid can still stay strong, but one time I went on a frozen creek with some friends and it cracked!! Luckily, the water didn't even go up to our knees, so it wasn't a bad experience. This is so cool that you posted this wonder because in Science Mrs. Caplin's class, that is we learned about liquid, solid and gas and also physical changes, so I had a little background knowledge that helped me out with this wonder.
We also learned about energy and friction in science, and friction is one of your vocab words for this wonder. Hey I was just wondering about dry ice and do you know what dry ice is??? Is it even an ice??? I learned a lot so thanks a lot!!!
How does the cold freeze the water in the winter? Is ice solid the whole way through or is it one layer of ice and water under? McKenna MC Feb 9, This is McKenna from Mrs. Caplin's class. It also really related to what we are doing in science. We are learning how molecules in a solid vibrate, how molecules in a liquid flow, and how molecules in a gas are just going crazy. Anyway this new knowledge really helped me understand this concept more.
Some of the new facts I learned were that scientists have discovered a very thin layer of liquid that exists on the outermost layer of ice, even though it is very cold.
I also learned that if you just stand on the ice, you are not producing any signs of friction. The last thing I learned was that scientists aren't even sure what the actual theory is behind slippery ice. Lastly I have just a few questions. Are there only to theories to why is ice slippery?
Why doesn't the thin layer of water on the outer part of the ice freeze? How cold is the liquid on the outermost part of the ice?
James MC Feb 9, Hey, this is James from Mrs. I had never wondered why ice was so slippery and didn't know there were so many theories for it. I think that the ice being slippery has nothing to do with friction or pressure, I think it is just because of the water on top.
I liked the music in the video but it didn't really explain anything about why ice was slippery. I was thinking about how the first computer was made and what it did. So I was wondering if you had any facts about it or could do a wonder on it. Next time I go ice skating I will think about the thin layer of water on top of the ice. I think that the best vocabulary word I could use in my writing would have to be treacherous.
I predict that tommorow's wonder will be about The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Finally, I wanted to thank you for another wonderful and fabulous wonder. Jack-MC Feb 9, Hi, my name is Jack Triplett from Mrs.
Caplins class. I thought the video for this wonder was really interesting because it never said anything, it just showed ice and points of views from ice. I learned that one of the reasons why ice is slippery is because there is a very thin layer of liquid water that exists at the outermost edge of ice even with ice that is extremely cold. I also learned that for years, scientists believed that this thin layer of liquid water was the resault of pressure being aplied to ice.
Another fact that I learned was that the lower the density of the ice means that it's melting temperature can be lowered by applying pressure. I will be sure to comment later. Have you ever been ice-skating before? Lynn- MC Feb 9, This wonder is amazing and I learned that Scientists have discovered that a very thin layer of liquid water exists at the outermost edge of ice though it is very cold. Caplin's class is learning about water being a solid, liquid, and a gas all through physical change which is what I connected this wonder to.
I didn't know that people had different theories to explain the presence of the thin water on the ice. Why didn't it freeze like the other water that did turn to ice? I am thinking that tomorrow's wonder will be about the Leaning Tower of Pisa because the leaning Tower of Pisa is leaning and is located in Italy.
Thanks for a great wonder! Wonderopolis Feb 9, Mukund-MC Feb 9, Hi, this is Mukund from Mrs. I learned that a very thin layer of liquid exists on the outermost edge of ice. I also learned that 1 theory is that friction causes the liquid layer of water to form on ice. This is a perfect wonder of the day because we just finished electricity and started heat or thermal energy in school. Yesterday we learned that there is no such thing as cold because the atoms are molecules are just moving slower.
I learned that water's solid form ice is less dense than its liquid form. I think tomorrow's wonder will be about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This was an amazing wonder.
Susan Feb 9, That was a good wonder for today, because today my 4th grade class was ice skating. Elisa Waingort Feb 9, Warning: ice can be thin. How does water turn into ice? We liked the scenery and the music in the video. Paige Feb 9, Dear Wonderopolis, Awesome wonder! I think tomorrow's wonder is about bugs. Thanks for giving this Wonder "two thumbs up," Paige! We think you ROCK!
That was cool music and that was pretty snow. I want to now where it came from!!! Can you tell me please? Nolan at kerrick Feb 9, Me and my mom and my brother went ice skating 1 year ago. Me and my dad and my sister want to an ice skating rink and raced a lot of good people. It was fun. I came in sixth place. This video is so cool. I did the experiment on this. It was cool. There was ice on the road in my neighborhood I slid on it and fell and other kids did it, too.
One dude slid on it like it was a skateboard. He did a really cool trick. I want to do that someday, but I don't think I can. Brooke Feb 9, Brigitte Feb 9, That's the reason I don't like winter because I always slip on the ice! Isaias Feb 9, Yeah, the leaning Tower of Pisa does sound cool, but I really want to learn about famous Inventors. KF Dragons Feb 9, That made me cold! Ice is slippery and water makes it slippery, too. I loved it. Ivan's lopez Feb 9, I think today's wonder of the day was awesome.
You should have one about asteroids or outer space. Brady Bartley Feb 9, Wonderopolis is a cool website. We use it in my high school all the time. Thank you for making this website so we don't have to do boring stuff. Smith's Grade 2,3 class Feb 9, Thanks for the great wonder today. When wondering, we had thought that the smooth surface of ice caused less friction and made the surface of ice slippery.
Now you have us thinking Would ice be less slippery if there was no film of water on top? AustinCannaday Feb 9, That was a cool article. I wonder what's next. One time when I went sledding, these two guys made a huge ramp. So they let me try it out and I went so high I actually went at least ft. It was so fun and I wasn't hurt so that is the good thing.
0コメント