Question

Problem 19

Answer 1

Given information

We are given that,

A length of thin wire is placed over a block of ice at

The wire hangs down both sides of the ice, and weights are hung from the ends of the wire.

It is found that the wire cuts its way through the ice cube, but leaves a solid block of ice behind it.

Step-by-step explanation

Step 1.

The freezing point of water decreases slightly with higher pressure. The wire exerts a large pressure on the ice (due to the weights hung at each end). The ice under the wire will melt, allowing the wire to move lower into the block. Once the wire has passed a given position, the water now above the wire will have only atmospheric pressure on it and will refreeze. This process allows the wire to pass all the way through the block and yet leave a solid block of ice behind.