thermal energy
the thermal energy in the spoon comes in contact with the kinetic energy used to put the spoon in to the ice cream thus, melting the ice cream
A hot spoon heats the ice cream at a faster rate due to increased thermal energy transfer, causing the ice cream to melt quicker. The cold spoon, on the other hand, has lower thermal energy, resulting in a slower melting process.
thermal energy
The ice cream cone was undergoing a physical change known as melting. Melting is the process where a solid substance, like ice cream, changes to a liquid state due to an increase in temperature.
The energy stored in an ice cream is an example of thermal energy, as it is the internal energy resulting from the motion of particles within the ice cream.
Yes, a metal spoon can melt with sufficient heat. The melting point varies depending on the type of metal, but most common metals used in spoons such as stainless steel or aluminum have melting points high enough that they will not melt under normal cooking conditions.
heat
The heat transfer involved in the softening or melting of ice cream is primarily conduction, where heat is transferred from the surrounding environment to the ice cream through direct contact. Additionally, convection can also play a role when warmer air interacts with the surface of the ice cream, speeding up the melting process.
The independent variable in the scenario of ice cream melting faster than frozen yogurt is the type of dessert being tested, specifically the distinction between ice cream and frozen yogurt. This variable is manipulated to observe its effect on the melting rate. Other factors, such as temperature and size of the servings, should be controlled to ensure a fair comparison.
"The salt makes the ice melt. the melting of ice requires input of heat and this 'sucks' the heat out of the ice cream mixture causing that to freeze." You are correct. The salt lowers the freezing point of saltwater-ice mixture causing melting of the ice. Melting of ice is a process that absorbs heat due to the heat of fusion (80 cal/g of melting ice). Thermal energy is transferred from warmer (ice cream) to colder substance (ice/saltwater mixture). In this instance, heat is lost from the ice cream and transferred to the colder ice/salt-water mixture, allowing ice cream to freeze.
Energy is absorbed during an endothermic change, such as melting ice or breaking chemical bonds. This type of change requires an input of energy to overcome the forces holding the particles together.
If the container is cold, then the ice cream will stay colder longer, therefore taking less time to melt. If the container is warm, the ice cream will get slightly warmer than if it was cold, which makes it take less time to melt.