The heat required to melt 1 pound of ice at 32 degrees to water at sea level is equal to _____?

The correct amount of heat required to melt 1 pound of ice at 32 degrees Fahrenheit to water at the same temperature is 144 BTUs. This value is derived from the specific latent heat of fusion for ice. The process of melting ice, which is a phase change from solid to liquid, requires a significant amount of energy, specifically the energy needed to overcome the molecular structure of ice without raising the temperature.

In thermodynamics, the latent heat of fusion for ice is typically defined as 144 BTUs per pound. This energy is absorbed by the ice as heat, allowing it to transition from a solid to a liquid state at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s important to understand that while the temperature remains constant during this phase change, the amount of heat energy exchanged is substantial, hence the value of 144 BTUs.

Understanding the specifics of phase changes and the associated energy requirements is crucial in HVAC applications where heat transfer and thermal energy calculations play a significant role in system designs and efficiency.