To protect their crops during freezing temperatures, orage growers spray water onto the trees and allow it to freeze. In terms of energy lost and energy gained, explain why this practice protects the oranges from damage.
As water turns to a layer of ice, heat is given up by the water and transferred to the branches and fruit. While the freezing takes place, the water cannot get colder than 0 C. After it freezes, it acts as an insulating layer, helping keep heat inside.
When orange growers spray water onto the trees and allow it to freeze, it is known as the practice of "frost protection." This method helps protect the oranges from damage during freezing temperatures by utilizing the principles of energy exchange.
Energy is lost from the oranges and tree branches during the process of freezing. As water freezes, it releases a considerable amount of energy in the form of heat. This heat energy, known as the latent heat of fusion, is absorbed from the surroundings. Consequently, the oranges and tree branches lose energy during the freezing process.
By spraying water onto the oranges and tree branches, the growers facilitate the transfer of energy. The water absorbs the heat energy from the oranges and branches, thereby slowing down the temperature drop. As the water freezes, it acts as a heat sink by trapping the cold temperatures and preventing them from directly affecting the oranges.
To further explain the energy exchange, we can consider the principle of latent heat. Initially, the water absorbs the sensible heat from the oranges and branches, and as it cools down, it transitions from a liquid to a solid state. During this phase change, the water releases latent heat, which helps to maintain a relatively higher temperature in the immediate vicinity of the oranges and branches.
As a result, the freezing water acts as an insulating layer, shielding the oranges and tree branches from more severe cold temperatures. This insulating effect creates a microclimate that helps protect the crops from freezing damage. When the temperature rises above freezing point, the ice will gradually melt, releasing the stored energy back into the surroundings.
In summary, the practice of spraying water onto orange trees during freezing temperatures protects the oranges by facilitating energy exchange. The water absorbs heat energy from the oranges, slowing down the temperature drop, and eventually freezing to form an insulating layer. This layer helps to maintain a higher temperature around the oranges, preventing damage caused by severe cold temperatures.
To understand how spraying water helps protect orange trees from freezing temperatures, we need to consider the concept of latent heat and the principles of energy transfer.
When water is sprayed onto the trees during freezing temperatures, it absorbs heat from the trees and the surrounding air. This heat absorption causes the water to undergo a phase change from liquid to solid, and this process requires a considerable amount of energy. The energy absorbed by the water during this phase change is known as latent heat.
Here's the explanation of how this process helps protect the oranges:
1. Energy Lost by the Trees:
- The orange trees have some heat energy within them, even during freezing temperatures.
- When the water is sprayed onto the trees, it absorbs heat energy from them.
- As the water freezes, the heat energy from the trees is transferred to the water, resulting in a decrease in the temperature of the trees.
- This lowers the temperature of the trees, but it helps prevent them from reaching extremely low temperatures that could lead to extensive crop damage.
2. Energy Gained by the Frozen Water:
- As the water freezes, it releases the latent heat energy it absorbed during the phase change from liquid to solid.
- This latent heat is released into the surrounding air.
- The release of latent heat helps to warm up the immediate environment around the orange trees, creating a microclimate that is slightly higher in temperature compared to the external freezing conditions.
- The warm microclimate formed around the trees acts as a protective barrier against the extreme cold by buffering the temperature fluctuations and preventing significant damage to the oranges.
Overall, the process of spraying water onto the orange trees allows for the absorption of heat energy from the trees and the subsequent release of latent heat into the surrounding air. This protects the trees by reducing the rate at which they lose heat and creating a slightly warmer microclimate that helps safeguard the oranges from damage caused by freezing temperatures.