Before a predicted frost, orange trees are often sprayed withwater in an attempt

Question

Before a predicted frost, orange trees are often sprayed withwater in an attempt to keep the fruit from freezing. Explain howthis could help?? I believe that this is because water gives off heat but notsure . Could you help me elaborate on this?? Thanks so much Before a predicted frost, orange trees are often sprayed withwater in an attempt to keep the fruit from freezing. Explain howthis could help?? I believe that this is because water gives off heat but notsure . Could you help me elaborate on this?? Thanks so much

Explanation / Answer

It could be one of two things: When water freezes, it dumps thermal energy into its surroundings,so having water on an orange in cold weather could prevent theorange from freezing. The water would freeze and give off alittle bit of thermal energy in the process. (If this isconfusing, think of what happens when ice melts or when waterevaporates: it absorbs thermal energy. This is what is goingon here, except in reverse.) The other thing that might be happening is the water on the orangeacts as an insulator. When the water around the orangefreezes, it prevents the colder air from reaching the orange. Since the freezing point of the fluids inside the orange are likelyto be lower than just straight water, this could be a reasonableeffect. I'm not sure which option is good, or even if either one is. Maybe they both are... Ok I'm pretty sure it's because the frozen water, which remainsjust at freezing point, acts as an insulator between the orange andthe air, so that would be the second option.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse B
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.