How to Prevent an Ice Cube from Melting Quickly

Creating an insulated environment will slow the ice cube's melting.
••• ice cube image by sheldon gardner from Fotolia.com

To create an experiment where the objective is to keep an ice cube from melting all you need are a few items from around the house. The goal is to make an environment that allows the ice cube to stay cold as long as possible, preventing it from melting right away, and a control, which in this case will be an ice cube that is not kept from melting. The hypothesis is that the cube left alone will melt faster. Feel free to experiment with a variety of insulators; this project uses aluminum foil.

Creating a cooler

    Wrap the inside and outside of one of the boxes with aluminum foil and secure it with tape. Individually wrap the flaps of the box so you can still open it. The aluminum will act as an insulator keeping it colder inside of the box.

    Wrap the box with plastic wrap to prevent any water from escaping through the box.

    Place an ice cube in the box and secure it with tape. Place the other ice cube on the plate; this will act as the control.

    Check on the ice cubes at half hour intervals until they melt. Record how long it takes for each ice cube to melt completely.

    Repeat the experiment by wrapping the box with an additional layer at a time, recording the time it takes with the addition of each layer of aluminum foil.

    Things You'll Need

    • Small cardboard box
    • Small plate or bowl
    • Two ice cubes
    • Aluminum foil
    • Plastic wrap
    • Scissors

Related Articles

How to Build a Container Where Ice Will Not Melt for...
Experiments With Salt and Sugar Ice Cubes
Homemade Ice Keeper Science Project
Science Projects: How to Keep Ice from Melting
Substances That Affect the Rate of Melting Ice
Preschool Blubber Experiment
How to Store Agar Plates
How to Package to Protect an Egg for a Science Project?
Science Projects on Melting Crayons
Kids' Science Projects on Things That Melt
How to Make a Homemade Thermos Bottle for a Science...
Why Does Rock Salt Make Ice Colder?
What Is the Fastest Way to Cool a Soda for a Science...
How to Cool a Can of Soda in Ice Water & Salt
How Does Salt Melt Ice?
How to Keep Liquid Hot in a Non-Thermos Container
How to Build Your Own Paper Foil Capacitor
How to Remove Iron Filings From Magnets
Experiment on Putting an Egg in Vinegar
How to Melt and Cast Aluminum

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!