What is the energy required to melt a 1-ton block of freshwater ice in 24 hours?

To calculate the energy required to melt a 1-ton block of freshwater ice, we need to consider the heat of fusion for ice, which is the amount of energy required to change ice at 0°C to water at 0°C without changing its temperature.

The heat of fusion for ice is approximately 144 BTUs per pound. Since 1 ton equals 2,000 pounds, the energy needed to melt 1 ton of ice can be calculated by multiplying the weight of the ice by the heat of fusion:

Energy (BTU) = Weight (in pounds) × Heat of fusion (BTU/pound)

So, for melting 1 ton (2,000 pounds) of ice:

Energy = 2,000 pounds × 144 BTUs/pound = 288,000 BTUs.

This amount of energy aligns with the answer provided, indicating that 288,000 BTUs is required to melt a 1-ton block of freshwater ice over the span of 24 hours.

This calculation helps to understand not just the physics involved in phase changes of water but also highlights how substantial energy is required to melt ice, a critical concept in refrigeration and air conditioning applications.