Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

For my science project I am testing the effect of different levels of vibrations on ice. I've already conducted my experiment, but I was hoping to get some extra information on my project and how vibrations affect mass. Some information on how energy transfers through materials could be helpful too. Thanks for any help and information I can get!

Hi 2toasty4u,
This is a very interesting topic! Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the setup of the project. Can you help me understand the details please?
Specifically, how was the vibration applied to the ice? In order for ice to melt, additional energy must be added. It sounds like, in this experiment, that this energy may be added in the form of friction caused by the vibration?

Please share with us any additional details you have.
Good Luck!
Willey

Ok, quick lesson in energy transfer.

To cause ice to melt with mechanical motion (like vibration), some of the energy used to vibrate the ice has to be converted to heat.

Changing motion (kinetic energy) to heat usually requires an "inelastic collision" - (imagine dropping an object that doesn't bounce - the energy generated by the fall in gravity is converted entirely to heat, either in the object that falls, or the object that hits)

If you shake ice with vibration, some of the energy will be converted to heat, because nothing in the real world is perfectly efficient but I'd assume most of it does not (the ice moves if it vibrates...ice not moving when you exert force would be more likely to generate heat).

I hope that helps. It sounds like an interesting experiment.