Is snow colder than ice cream?

Answer 1

The temperature is the same, obviously, but the thermal energy may be different, depending on, among other things, the amount of each you are measuring. Temperature (when stated in degrees Kelvin) is a measure of average Kinetic energy of all the molecules, while thermal energy is the total energy in all of the molecules. Thus two identical scoops of ice cream have twice as much thermal energy as one scoop, even though both are at the same temperature. You may also be asking about a value called "latent heat," the energy it takes to bring about a change in physical state called a "phase transition," as for ice changing to water, or vice versa. That could be answered easily for ice and water, but it would take a great deal more information to compare ice cream and water.

Answer 2

Ice cream is colder than ice. (generally)

Either item can be colder than the other...depending on the atmosphere (temperature) at which it is stored. Ice stored in a -20F freezer is colder than ice cream stored in a 0F freezer. However, ice cream has a lower melting point than ice, and is generally stored at lower temperatures. My brother manufactures, stores, and sells both products. His ice cream freezer is -15F, while his ice freezer is 28F. He makes some ice cream with alcohol in it (grasshopper, brandy ice), and these flavors melt at lower temps than other flavors.

In general, ice cream will be colder than ice (if stored separate from the ice) or the same temp (if stored with the ice).

Answer 3

No, it is not. Ice cream is colder than snow.