Final answer:
To predict if a design solution can prevent glacier ice melt, factors such as latent heat of fusion, heat transfer by conduction, warming temperatures, and positive feedback loops must be considered. Calculating moles of ice and energy required for melting, alongside historical data and ensuring that predictions are sensible, are part of this evaluation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine whether a design solution would stop enough energy transfer to prevent all future ice melt occurring at a glacier, we need to consider multiple factors. The energy required to melt the ice can be calculated by converting the mass of the glacier into moles and then multiplying by the latent heat of fusion for ice. This gives us the energy needed for a phase change from solid to liquid. Moreover, heat transfer by conduction and the rate of ice melting due to warming air temperatures and positive feedbacks such as the albedo effect, where melted pools on the ice increase the rate at which solar energy is absorbed, must be accounted for.
An example calculation could involve determining the heat transfer through conduction and applying this over time to find the net amount of ice melted. We can also predict the rise in temperature from past and current data such as dimensions and locations of glaciers and by examining annual rings in trees. To check if the solution is reasonable, we should ensure that the anticipated temperature change will not cause a phase change that has not been accounted for.