Re: misconception re ice melting under skates

[Richard Grandy <rgrandy@ruf.rice.edu>]

At 10:31 PM -0500 2/24/98, Herbert H. Gottlieb wrote:
> > > I'm afraid I've been guilty of passing this on! Would someone tell me
> > what is_ happening under the skates or under the loaded wire cutting
> > through ice?         Crawford
> Leigh Palmer <palmer@sfu.ca> writes:
>
> > Whoa! Those are two very different phenomena. One does not skate on
> > ice at melting temperature.
>
> Leigh... Please explain. I have skated on ice at melting temperature many
> times.
> I have not tried to skate on ice when it is very cold.... but I have been
> told
> that it is difficult to do so because there is too much friction between
> the skate
> blades and the ice.
>
> Also, after someone has skated on ice, it is apparent that melting and
> regelation have occurred because a smooth track appears along the
> path where the blades have passed.
>
> Herb Gottlieb from New York City
> (Where it is too warm this winter to skate on any of our ponds or lakes)
>
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I would like to hear more about this misconception too, as I have not
understood what the correct alternative explanation is.

Richard Grandy, from Houston TX

Home of Tara Lipinsky, and where the skating is ALL indoors.