Question

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

Name: Problem 102, Chapter 11: Chemistry: Structure and Properties
Uploaded: 2021-08-26T01:27:19-08:00
Duration: 2 min 27 s
Channel: Christopher Nilsen
Description: A root cellar is an underground chamber used to store fruits, vegetables, and sometimes meats. In extreme cold, farmers put large vats of water into the root cellar to prevent fruits and vegetables from freezing. Explain why this works.

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

Chemistry: Structure and Properties

Nivaldo Tro 2nd Edition

Chapter 11, Problem 102

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Christopher Nilsen

08/26/2021

Step 1

This means that water can absorb a lot of heat before its temperature rises significantly, and it can also release a lot of heat before its temperature drops significantly. This is similar to the ocean, which remains cold in the early summer and warm in the early Show more…

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

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Key Concepts

Latent Heat of Fusion

This concept explains that when water freezes, it releases a significant amount of energy known as latent heat. The released heat helps to stabilize the temperature around the freezing point, preventing the interior of the root cellar from dropping too low and thereby keeping the stored produce from freezing.

Thermal Mass

Thermal mass refers to a material's ability to absorb, store, and later release heat. Water, having a high specific heat capacity, acts as an effective thermal buffer in the root cellar by maintaining a relatively constant temperature, even when external temperatures fluctuate.

Heat Transfer

Heat transfer is the process of energy moving from warmer to cooler areas. In the context of the root cellar, the released latent heat from water during its phase change is transferred to the surrounding air, slowing down the rate of cooling and preventing the fruits, vegetables, and meats from reaching freezing temperatures.

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