For 200 Years We Were Wrong About Why Water Ice Is Slippery
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New Study Challenges 200 Years of Physics on Why Ice Is Slippery
Discover the groundbreaking molecular science that may overturn two centuries of common explanations for ice slipperiness. This research details a previously unconsidered mechanism occurring at the atomic level, even in deep cold.
Short Summary
- The established theories of pressure melting and frictional heating fail to adequately explain ice slipperiness under very cold conditions.
- New molecular simulations point to "cold displacement-driven amorphisation" as the primary mechanism for surface lubrication.
- This process involves molecular dipoles disrupting the ice crystal structure, creating a liquid-like amorphous layer without traditional melting or high pressure.
- Surface characteristics, like hydrophobia, significantly influence the friction coefficient of this new amorphous layer.
This discussion explores a recent study that profoundly questions long-held beliefs about why ice slides easily. It contrasts the old models (pressure/heat) against new atomic-level findings using molecular computer simulations. Understanding this new model reveals the complex science behind everyday phenomena like skating or dropping an ice cube.
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Top Comments (10)
I was always suspicious of the melt hypothesis but questioning it would put you on thin ice
This is great; it's good to look at common phenomena. There must be a lot of other assumptions that we're currently wrong about.
Water is such a crazy substance, it has so many unique properties.
I have never really been comfortable with the old explanation, so it's very pleasing to hear this one.
Very big year in physics, first we derive the mechanism for stirring, now we discover the mechanism of slipping on ice. I wonder what will happen next.
Researching basic phenomenon like this with the latest knowledge and scientific technology can bring our understanding of the world forward in ways people never would have expected. Having a better understanding about ice has a lot of practical applications, as well. I see people are talking about winter tires, but there are also concerns for road surfaces, rail tracks, building and infrastructure foundations, or even improving our understanding of avalanches and glacier calving. Anything that involves mechanical interaction with ice is going to be implicated by an improved understanding of any amorphous ice phases.
Once again, a glib statement by my high school chemistry teacher is the underlying explanation: “It’s all about the electrons. They’re in charge of everything.”
I seem to recall that Feynman, in 'Magnets' (1983 BBC series Fun to Imagine), caveated the pressure melting explanation with "...so they say..."...
Pressure and phase transitions are bulk properties so we can't say the top layer turns into a liquid even though it has liquid-like properties.
I think that during Robert Scott's fatal South Polar expedition, they noticed that during extremely low temperatures their sleds seemed to lose their ability to slide easily over the surface- and dragging them became much more difficult. The "stickiness" effect that was observed in these experiments could explain that.
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Top Comments (10)
I was always suspicious of the melt hypothesis but questioning it would put you on thin ice
This is great; it's good to look at common phenomena. There must be a lot of other assumptions that we're currently wrong about.
Water is such a crazy substance, it has so many unique properties.
I have never really been comfortable with the old explanation, so it's very pleasing to hear this one.
Very big year in physics, first we derive the mechanism for stirring, now we discover the mechanism of slipping on ice. I wonder what will happen next.
Researching basic phenomenon like this with the latest knowledge and scientific technology can bring our understanding of the world forward in ways people never would have expected. Having a better understanding about ice has a lot of practical applications, as well. I see people are talking about winter tires, but there are also concerns for road surfaces, rail tracks, building and infrastructure foundations, or even improving our understanding of avalanches and glacier calving. Anything that involves mechanical interaction with ice is going to be implicated by an improved understanding of any amorphous ice phases.
Once again, a glib statement by my high school chemistry teacher is the underlying explanation: “It’s all about the electrons. They’re in charge of everything.”
I seem to recall that Feynman, in 'Magnets' (1983 BBC series Fun to Imagine), caveated the pressure melting explanation with "...so they say..."...
Pressure and phase transitions are bulk properties so we can't say the top layer turns into a liquid even though it has liquid-like properties.
I think that during Robert Scott's fatal South Polar expedition, they noticed that during extremely low temperatures their sleds seemed to lose their ability to slide easily over the surface- and dragging them became much more difficult. The "stickiness" effect that was observed in these experiments could explain that.