A root cellar is an underground chamber used to store...

Name: Problem 110, Chapter 11: Chemistry A Molecular Approach
Uploaded: 2020-08-19T22:03:11-08:00
Duration: 1 min 40 s
Channel: Christina Sanchez
Description: A root cellar is an underground chamber used to store fruits, vegetables, and even meats. In extreme cold, farmers put large vats of water into the root cellar to prevent the fruits and vegetables from freezing. Explain why this works.

A root cellar is an underground chamber used to store fruits, vegetables, and even meats. In extreme cold, farmers put large vats of water into the root cellar to prevent the fruits and vegetables from freezing. Explain why this works.

Key Concepts

Thermal Mass

Thermal mass refers to a material's ability to absorb and store heat energy. Materials like water have a large thermal mass, meaning they can take in or release significant amounts of heat with only a small change in temperature. In the context of the root cellar, water absorbs excess heat during warmer periods and slowly releases it when temperatures drop, thereby helping to maintain a more stable overall temperature.

Specific Heat Capacity

Specific heat capacity is a property of a substance that indicates the amount of energy required to change its temperature by a certain amount. Water has a very high specific heat capacity, so it can absorb a lot of energy without experiencing a drastic change in temperature. This quality enables water in the root cellar to act as a buffer against extreme cold, absorbing heat and thus reducing the likelihood of the fruits and vegetables freezing.

Latent Heat of Fusion

Latent heat of fusion is the amount of energy absorbed or released by a substance during its phase change, such as from liquid to solid, without a change in temperature. If the water in the vats begins to freeze, it will release latent heat, which further helps to stabilize the temperature inside the root cellar. This process prevents the stored fruits and vegetables from rapidly cooling down or freezing when exposed to extreme cold.

Transcript

Please give Ace some feedback