Conduction melting is caused by heating of which?

• A. The sun heats the ice directly
• B. The air above warms the ice
• C. Other surfaces warming the area around the object
• D. Friction from movement

Answer: (C)

Conduction melting happens when heat travels through direct contact from a warmer surface to the ice, melting it where the contact occurs. Heating of other surfaces warming the area around the object provides that heat via conduction, since the warm surface touches or is in contact with the ice and transfers energy through the solid. The sun heating the ice directly is radiant heating, not conduction; warming the air above the ice is mainly convection (and some radiation), not heat transfer through solid contact; and while friction can generate heat, conduction melting specifically refers to heat conducted through a solid from a warmer surface.