Question

Which of the following materials can you use to reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an ice cube, greatly extending the time it takes to melt? Choose all that apply.

a) Aluminum foil
b) Black cloth
c) Styrofoam ^ Cotton
d) Glass

Answer 1

To extend the time it takes for an ice cube to melt under sunlight, use materials such as aluminum foil, Styrofoam, and cotton. These materials are effective because they either reflect sunlight or have poor heat conductivity.

Step-by-step explanation:

To reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an ice cube and extend the time it takes to melt, certain materials are more effective than others. The suitable materials would be those that reflect sunlight or that are poor conductors of heat. Here are the options with explanations:

• Aluminum foil: It can reflect most of the sunlight, thereby reducing the warming effect.
• Styrofoam: It is an excellent insulator that slows down the transfer of heat.
• Cotton: Although not as reflective as foil, it's a poor conductor of heat, so it can help to reduce the melting rate of the ice cube.

In contrast, materials like black cloth absorb more solar radiation, and glass doesn't provide sufficient insulation, making them less effective for this purpose. Options a) Aluminum foil, c) Styrofoam, and cotton are most likely to meet the objective.