Have you ever wondered why ice turns to water when you leave it outside on a warm day? It all comes down to heat energy from the sun. Sunlight warms the surface of the ice, and that heat causes the molecules in the ice to move faster. When the molecules move enough, the bonds holding them together in a solid form break, and the ice becomes liquid water.
Even on a cold day, direct sunlight can still warm the ice enough to start melting. This is because the sun’s rays carry energy that transfers to the ice’s surface. The process speeds up if the air is warm or if the ice is sitting on a dark surface, which absorbs more heat.
Understanding why ice melts in the sun is a simple but fascinating way to see science in action. For more curious questions and friendly answers, visit Vero Q&A.