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Ice cubes in alcoholic drinks

 
 
Noddy24
 
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 01:50 pm
Why are the ice cubes in alcoholic drinks less brittle and crunchy than the ice cubes in water?
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Type: Discussion • Score: 1 • Views: 3,730 • Replies: 75
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roger
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 02:07 pm
All variables being held constant, I can't think of a single reason. Are you sure?

Well, of course, or you wouldn't ask.
0 Replies
 
ossobuco
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 02:18 pm
I think some experiments are in order.
0 Replies
 
ehBeth
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 02:19 pm
why do I think I know what we'll all be doing on the long weekend?

:wink:


<It's an ice cube test. Really.>
0 Replies
 
parados
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 02:26 pm
Remember..

In order to be truly scientific you need a large enough sample..

I believe 13 is the minimum..

Don't forget to take detailed notes or you will have to conduct the experiment all over again.
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ossobuco
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 02:29 pm
We'll need some scientific input on the matter of double blind studying...
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engineer
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 02:30 pm
All jokes aside...
I haven't observed the crunchness issue, but I can hypothesize a reason for you. It could be that defects in the ice surface melt more slowly in alcohol than in water. If alcohol causes the ice to melt more quickly, then any pits in the ice surface would have a localized area of higher water concentration while the outside of the cube would see the full effect and it would appear that the cube was being polished. Pits and other defects are what makes ice "crunchy".

Of course, I am brainstorming here. I really don't have any idea.
0 Replies
 
ehBeth
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 02:31 pm
And controls.

Someone has to have all of their ice cubes in alcohol.

Sit down, ossoB!
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ossobuco
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 02:34 pm
Do ice cube makers make cubes that are more polishable with alcohol immersion than ice cube trays do?
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Noddy24
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 02:57 pm
I am glad that my quest for information is being supported by such dedicated researchers.

Your conclusions are eagerly awaited.
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fishin
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 03:46 pm
ehBeth wrote:
Someone has to have all of their ice cubes in alcohol.


*raises hand to volunteer* Laughing
0 Replies
 
dyslexia
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 03:50 pm
give me a minute, I have the answer but I need to go lay down for a bit before posting it.
0 Replies
 
ossobuco
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 04:25 pm
Do metal or plastic ice cube trays make a difference in surface, what were they called, surface pits and defects, and therefore in the eventual cube polish from alcohol immersion, should engineer's hypothesis be true?
0 Replies
 
ehBeth
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 04:43 pm
1. store bought ice cubes v home made

2. christmas tree shaped ice cubes v strawberry shaped ice cubes



I am so glad my long weekend starts before yours does south o' the border.
I'll be able to get a head start on my research.
0 Replies
 
ossobuco
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 04:47 pm
We'll need to consider, as you suggested, such controls as water, iced tea, lemonade, soda pop.. as well.
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dyslexia
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 04:49 pm
why?
0 Replies
 
ossobuco
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 04:51 pm
Oh, you always say that.
0 Replies
 
ossobuco
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 04:53 pm
Ok, I figured it out. We need to do that because people participating will choose different sorts of alcohol and different mixes of other substances with their alcohol choice and we need to clarify if it is the other substances that affect the icy surface.
0 Replies
 
Acquiunk
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 05:01 pm
parados wrote:
Remember..

In order to be truly scientific you need a large enough sample..

I believe 13 is the minimum..

.


Actually, the central limit theorem requires a minimum of 30 to justify conclusions from a random sample. This calls for a longitudinal test, one that lasts over a period of time, ...days? ...weeks?
0 Replies
 
dyslexia
 
  1  
Reply Mon 27 Jun, 2005 05:03 pm
ossobuco wrote:
Ok, I figured it out. We need to do that because people participating will choose different sorts of alcohol and different mixes of other substances with their alcohol choice and we need to clarify if it is the other substances that affect the icy surface.

"mixes" people use alchohol with "mixes?" are they totally tasteless or just brain-dead?
0 Replies
 
 

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