When water is frozen into ice cubes in the freezer, where does the released heat go?
I think it just goes into the air in the freezer, nowhere special. Because won't the heat become cold air then?
That's right. The heat just adds to the heat load that the freezer/refrigerator is pulling and eventually the heat is transferred to the outside, meaning into the kitchen/room.
To understand where the released heat goes when water is frozen into ice cubes in the freezer, let's break it down step by step:
1. When you put water in the freezer, the cold temperature of the freezer causes the water molecules to slow down and eventually turn into ice. This phase change from a liquid to a solid releases heat. This heat is known as the latent heat of fusion.
2. Now, concerning where this released heat goes, it's important to know that heat always flows from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature. In this case, the freezer is colder than the water, so the heat flows from the water to the surrounding environment.
3. In most freezers, there is a system that works to remove heat from inside the freezer, ensuring it stays cold. This system typically consists of a refrigeration cycle that involves a compressor, condenser, evaporator, and an expansion valve.
4. Initially, the released heat from the freezing water increases the temperature inside the freezer. The freezer's thermostat then detects this increase in temperature and activates the compressor.
5. The compressor compresses the refrigerant gas, which increases its temperature. This high-temperature gas is then passed through a condenser located at the back or bottom of the freezer. The condenser dissipates the heat by transferring it to the surrounding ambient air in the room or kitchen.
6. As the condenser releases heat, the refrigerant gas condenses and transforms into a high-pressure liquid. This liquid then flows through the expansion valve, where it undergoes a pressure drop.
7. The expansion valve allows the liquid refrigerant to expand rapidly, causing a decrease in temperature. This cold liquid then enters the evaporator, which is inside the freezer.
8. The evaporator absorbs heat from the freezer compartment, including the heat released during the water-to-ice phase change. This absorption of heat causes the refrigerant liquid to evaporate, turning back into a gas.
9. Lastly, the evaporated refrigerant gas is drawn back into the compressor, where the cycle repeats, continuously removing heat from the freezer.
In summary, the released heat from the freezing water is transferred to the surrounding environment by the refrigerator's cooling system. It is ultimately dissipated into the air of the room or kitchen, allowing the freezer to maintain its low temperature and freeze the water into ice cubes.