Will your hot ice eventually melt at room temperature? why or why not?

1 Answer
Apr 25, 2018

Yes.

Explanation:

We use descriptive language to try to explain observations. But, be careful about casual discussion and the more precise definitions needed in scientific investigation. "Hot" is a relative term about energy, and ice is also a more casual term for a particular state (solid) of matter. No matter is mentioned, although I assume you mean water.

"Room temperature" can also vary widely, and may more generally be referred to as the "ambient temperature". The temperature (measure of heat content) of a system will always move to an equilibrium value, so some temperatures will increase, and others will decrease.

If the room is warmer than the freezing point of water (#>0^oC#) and the "ice" is solid water, eventually it will melt - change phase from solid to liquid - as it adsorbs heat energy from the room gas molecules (assumed to be air).