How many BTUs are required to melt one pound of ice?

To determine the number of BTUs required to melt one pound of ice, it is essential to understand the concept of latent heat. Latent heat is the amount of energy required to change a substance's state without changing its temperature. For ice, the latent heat of fusion—the energy required to convert ice at 32°F (0°C) to water at the same temperature—is approximately 144 BTUs per pound.

This means that it takes 144 BTUs to melt one pound of ice into water while keeping the temperature constant. The specific heat or temperature increase is not considered in this case since melting involves a change from solid to liquid. Understanding this principle is crucial for various applications in air conditioning and refrigeration, where the phase change of water is commonplace, especially in cooling systems that utilize ice to absorb heat from the environment.

Other options do not accurately reflect the energy required for this specific phase change, emphasizing the importance of understanding latent heat calculations in thermodynamics related to refrigeration and air conditioning systems.