@very-rusty saidTwo probable reasons:
Why do things melt when it is say -2C and had been -6? Does anyone know the correct answer?
-VR
* measurement was taken in the air, sun was shining and temperature at the melting position was higher.
* The ice was not pur water ice, everything, which can be disolved will lower melting temperature (The technique was used in earlier days to establish mol mass of compunds)
*
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@ponderable saidThe sun was shining, and of course we all know it is closer to the earth in our winter time.
Two probable reasons:
* measurement was taken in the air, sun was shining and temperature at the melting position was higher.
* The ice was not pur water ice, everything, which can be disolved will lower melting temperature (The technique was used in earlier days to establish mol mass of compunds)
*
I would say your evaluation is correct.
-VR
@very-rusty saidThe closeness of the sun has no effect on the temperature (well not a discernible one over the weather, feel free to make the caluclation yourself).
The sun was shining, and of course we all know it is closer to the earth in our winter time.
-VR
Plus the temperature is the temperature regardless of the proximity of the heating body....
@ponderable saidSo, you're saying the sun being out has nothing to do with the snow melting in -degree temperatures?
The closeness of the sun has no effect on the temperature (well not a discernible one over the weather, feel free to make the caluclation yourself).
Plus the temperature is the temperature regardless of the proximity of the heating body....
-VR
@very-rusty saidNo I say the differnec in distance between sun and earth as no effect on surface temerature, that you could find with a thermometer at your home .
So, you're saying the sun being out has nothing to do with the snow melting in -degree temperatures?
-VR
The sun being out would account for the difference in temperature measurement and expected result.
@very-rusty saidIt does. Its called the albedo effect, the ability of a surface to reflect light. In the case of snow the suns radiation. As the snow melts the albedo value diminishes so it absorbs more radiation and melts faster.
So, you're saying the sun being out has nothing to do with the snow melting in -degree temperatures?
-VR
@the-gravedigger saidSo you on the other hand are saying the sun does have something to do with the snow melting in -degree temperatures? That would be my uneducated guess. 🙂
It does. Its called the albedo effect, the ability of a surface to reflect light. In the case of snow the suns radiation. As the snow melts the albedo value diminishes so it absorbs more radiation and melts faster.
-VR
@very-rusty saidAs the snow starts to melt it will absorb more of the suns energy and start melting faster. The pools of water that form do not reflect back as much energy as white snow.
So you on the other hand are saying the sun does have something to do with the snow melting in -degree temperatures? That would be my uneducated guess. 🙂
-VR
It becomes a self reinforcing effect.
@the-gravedigger saidSo now we've learned how snow can melt even though temperature is below the freezing point. 🙂
As the snow starts to melt it will absorb more of the suns energy and start melting faster. The pools of water that form do not reflect back as much energy as white snow.
It becomes a self reinforcing effect.
-VR
