Problem 5.32 (Schroeder’s Intro to Thermal Physics)

Problem 5.32

The density of ice is

(a) Use the Clausius-Clapeyron relation to explain why the slope of the phase boundary between water and ice is negative.
(b) How much pressure would you have to put on an ice cube to make it melt at -1°C?
(c) Approximately how deep under a glacier would you have to be before the weight of the ice above gives the pressure you found in part (b)? (Note that the pressure can be greater at some locations, as where the glacier flows over a protruding rock.)
(d) Make a rough estimate of the pressure under the blade of an ice skate, and calculate the melting temperature of ice at this pressure. Some authors have claimed that skaters glide with very little friction because the increased pressure under the blade melts the ice to create a thin layer of water. What do you think of this explanation?

Solution:

Problem 5.32 Solution (Download)

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