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How Does Ice Melt for Kids?

Published in Ice Melting 2 mins read

Ice melts when it changes from a solid to a liquid because it gets heated.


What Happens When Ice Melts?

When ice melts, it's not just disappearing; it's changing its form. Here's a simple breakdown:

  • Solid to Liquid: Ice is a solid. When it melts, it turns into a liquid – water! This is a process called melting.
  • Heating Up: According to the Why Does Ice Melt? - Science for Kids - YouTube video, ice needs to be heated to change from a solid to a liquid.


Why Does Ice Need Heat to Melt?

Think of it like this:

  • Tiny Movers: Everything, even ice, is made of tiny things that are always moving. In ice, these tiny things are very close together and don't move around much.
  • Adding Energy: Heat is like energy. When you add heat to ice, the tiny things start moving more quickly.
  • Breaking Free: If they move enough, the tiny things in the ice break free from each other, and the ice becomes water, which is a liquid where things are further apart and moving freely.


Examples of Melting Ice

Here are some everyday examples of ice melting:

  • Ice Cube in a Drink: If you put an ice cube in a warm drink, the heat from the drink will melt the ice cube.
  • Ice Cream on a Hot Day: If you leave an ice cream outside on a warm day, the heat from the sun and air will melt the ice cream.
  • Snow Melting: When the sun comes out and the air gets warmer, the snow melts and turns into water.


Quick Summary

Concept Explanation
Melting Ice changing from a solid to a liquid.
Heat Energy needed for ice to melt
Solid State The state of ice, where molecules are packed together tightly.
Liquid State The state of water, where molecules move around more freely.