Answer to Question #211407 in Physics for Anonymous student

Question

Prove that the melting process of a 100-g ice cube initially at -25C in a large room of 35C is irreversible. (c ice = 2220 J/kg.K; L F,ice = 333 kJ/kg; c water = 4190 J/kg.K)

Answer 1

The mass of air in the large room is comparably infinite compared to the 100 g of ice. So, since the mass of ice is just 100 g, the infinite mass of air is enough to melt it into water. According to the first law of thermodynamics, the hot mass will transfer its energy to the cold one. Thus, the piece of ice will gradually melt and will never become ice again when it is in the 35°С air.