Brain Freeze: Top Ten Ice Facts

June 29, 2015

by Peter Reese
Brain Freeze: Top Ten Ice Facts

During periods of peak aerobic output, Active Junky testers go for lukewarm to slightly chilled hydration.  Socks off and sandals on, the requirements change. 

At the center of this shift? Ice.  If it wasn’t part of the natural environment, it would be considered wizard’s work given these ten astounding characteristics – and how each applies to your next social engagement.

10 cool ways to get the party started:

#1. Con Fusion

Ice gives up its “life” for the cause, pushing nearby molecules as close to 32-degrees as possible. Their solid form yields to liquid; the resulting temperature reduction is known as the “heat of fusion.”  If dilution isn’t on the agenda, use ice sparingly or pre-chill your beverage of choice.

#2. Shaken, Not Stirred

Ice floats. When frozen, density decreases about 8%, keeping the “rocks” from sinking in glass or cooler.1  Take advantage of this property by swirling ice to keep contents mixed together, from top to bottom.

#3. Clarity in a Cup 

Impurities and bubbles make ice cloudy; purified, still water promotes a clearer result that avoids the dinginess associated with dorm fridge cubes. Be aware that tap water rarely pops out in a pristine state.

#4. Hues of Blue

Blue is the primary color of ice due to light absorption at the red end of the spectrum.2  Make ice bigger and thicker to deepen the color.

#5. The Cryosphere 

The name for the frozen part of Earth is the “cryosphere,” one of the coolest words ever and the perfect name for a roller rink in Anchorage or a bad debut rock album.3 Use this factoid to toast your mastery of the obscure.

#6. Hexagonal Frost

Icecube-detail

Most ice on the planet is of hexagonal crystal structure, a form known as “ice one h.”4 Employ this terminology as a distraction if the iced tea you’re serving was the only thing left in the house (and stale from the start).

#7. A Thousand Years in the Freezing

Cooling food and beverages with ice started thousands of years ago in Persia.  Remember to get the trays in by breakfast time for fresher results instead of resorting to ancient lumps of gnarliness from weeks (or centuries) ago.5

#8. Fishing for Ice

The English first employed harvested river ice to keep fish from spoiling.  The Brits learned the hard way so you don’t have to. Double the quantity that “looks right” when purchasing bags of ice, as melting and consolidation happen quickly.

#9. Ice and Ibuprofen

Ice reduces swelling by decreasing circulation.  Those prone to off-balance behavior (be it slacklining or aggressive corn hole tossing) can soothe their wounds with the application of frozen H2O.

#10. Ice Racing

Racing on ice has a loyal car, truck and motorcycle following; spiked tires maintain a modicum of traction at high speeds.  

Active Junky brings two opposites together to make summer more amazing: Fire and Ice. From coolers to grills, frozen concoctions to campfire celebrations, stay tuned to Active Junky to heat up (and cool down) your outdoor life.

Sources:
http://h2g2.com/approved_entry/A57241226 
http://www.webexhibits.org/causesofcolor/5C.html
https://nsidc.org/cryosphere/what-is-the-cryosphere.html
http://www1.lsbu.ac.uk/water/hexagonal_ice.html
http://www.eartharchitecture.org/index.php?/archives/1045-Yakhchal-Ancient-Refrigerators.html

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