Jääksoojus

Jääksoojus, meaning "ice heat" in Finnish, refers to the phenomenon where ice and snow can act as a temporary heat source during their melting process. This might seem counterintuitive, as we typically associate ice with cold. However, when ice or snow melts, it absorbs a significant amount of energy from its surroundings to transition from a solid state to a liquid state. This energy absorption is what can lead to a localized warming effect.

The process is governed by the latent heat of fusion. For ice, this latent heat is approximately 334 kilojoules per kilogram. This means that for every kilogram of ice that melts, 334 kilojoules of heat energy are absorbed from the environment. In situations where a large volume of ice or snow is melting, this absorption can noticeably lower the ambient temperature of the immediate vicinity, but it also means that the melting ice itself is the site where this energy is being utilized.

While not a perpetual source of heat, jääksoojus can play a role in various natural and man-made scenarios. For example, it can influence the microclimate around melting glaciers or snowbanks. In some experimental or niche applications, the principle of melting ice absorbing heat has been explored for cooling purposes, leveraging the energy transfer away from a system. However, it's crucial to distinguish this localized energy absorption during phase change from the generation of heat in the conventional sense.