Specific Heat & Icebergs
Define Specific heat capacity in plain terms.
The amount of energy needed to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1°C (definition).
In the Illuciat Glacier story, what makes the glacier’s ice “unique” in thermal behavior?
Highly compressed, dense ice formed over long timescales with distinct thermal properties.
Give a brief description of latent heat vs. sensible heat (conceptual).
Latent heat = energy for phase change at constant temperature; sensible heat = energy that changes temperature.
Define static electricity in a single clear sentence.
Buildup of electric charge on surfaces that can discharge suddenly.
What is the primary purpose of a lightning rod on a building?
Provide a low-resistance path to ground so lightning current bypasses and protects the structure.
DAILY DOUBLE:
Explain why a large iceberg warms more slowly than a small patch of ice when both receive the same sunlight.
Large mass and high heat capacity require more total energy to change temperature.
List three environmental factors that directly affect glacier melting rates
Ocean temperature, surface area exposed, atmospheric temperature (also currents and albedo).
Identify whether specific heat is an intensive or extensive property and explain the difference.
Specific heat is intensive (independent of mass).
Describe how friction and collisions of particles in clouds contribute to charge separation.
Collisions among ice particles and droplets move charges to different parts of the cloud, separating positive and negative regions.
Why does high humidity make static shocks less likely? Provide a concise physical reason.
Moist air conducts charge away, preventing large-scale buildup on insulating surfaces/persons.
Describe latent heat and its role when ice changes to liquid water.
Water has higher specific heat than ice; water stores more heat so temperature changes more slowly
Explain what is meant by a glacier acting as a “thermal buffer” and give one consequence for nearby weather.
Glacier stores thermal energy and releases/absorbs heat slowly, moderating nearby temperature swings.
Explain why melting a large glacier requires vastly more total energy than boiling a small pot of water at the same temperature (qualitative, focus on mass and energy demands).
A glacier’s massive amount of material means total energy required to raise its temperature or melt it is much larger than for a small pot.
Explain what a leader and a return stroke are in the sequence of a lightning strike (qualitative)
A stepped leader moves from cloud toward ground; when connection occurs a bright return stroke travels upward, carrying most visible current.
Explain why standing under a tall isolated tree during a thunderstorm is dangerous (include concept of path of least resistance).
Tall objects provide shorter, lower-resistance paths for discharge; being near them increases chance of being in current path.
Compare whether ice or liquid water has the higher specific heat capacity and explain why that matters for climate.
Water has higher specific heat than ice; water stores more heat so temperature changes more slowly
Describe how calving (icebergs breaking off) changes the glacier’s total heat capacity and why that matters
Total heat capacity decreases when mass is lost, so remaining ice warms faster for same heat input.
Describe how the specific heat of different materials (ice, water, rock) influences the time scale of temperature change in an environment.
Materials with higher specific heat change temperature more slowly; rock often has lower specific heat than water, ice lower than liquid water.
DAILY DOUBLE:
Distinguish between positive and negative lightning in origin and typical energy (qualitative)
Negative lightning commonly originates from cloud base negative charge; positive lightning comes from positive charge regions, is less common and often more energetic.
Describe why it’s unsafe to use wired electrical appliances during a thunderstorm (how lightning can reach a person through wiring).
Lightning can enter buildings through electrical wiring and appliances, conducting to users.
Explain how the specific heat of ocean water interacts with melting glacial ice to influence regional climate (qualitative, system-level).
Cold glacial meltwater absorbs heat and can alter surface ocean temperatures and stratification, moderating or changing regional climate patterns.
Using the storyline idea (qualitative), explain how long-term energy balance determines glacier stability (include solar input, heat storage, and atmospheric effects)
Long-term balance between incoming solar energy and outgoing heat plus storage in ice and atmosphere controls whether the glacier grows, remains stable, or shrinks
Explain, in words, how energy transfer between cold glacial meltwater and warmer ocean water alters local sea temperatures and circulation (focus on heat absorption/release and mixing).
Cold meltwater absorbs heat from warmer seawater, cooling surface layers and changing density-driven mixing and local currents.
Explain the role of ice crystals and supercooled droplets in producing the charge separation necessary for lightning.
Ice crystals and graupel collisions create charge transfer; differing fall speeds separate charges, building strong electric fields.
Cold glacial meltwater absorbs heat and can alter surface ocean temperatures and stratification, moderating or changing regional climate patterns.
Stay indoors away from windows/appliances (limits conductive paths), avoid plumbing (water pipes conduct), seek a fully enclosed metal vehicle (Faraday cage effect).