Why does snow melt in a cooking pan?

Snow melts in a cooking pan because of the heat energy transferred from the pan to the snow. Here's a breakdown:

* Heat Transfer: When a cooking pan is heated, it gains thermal energy. This energy is transferred to the snow through a process called conduction.

* Phase Change: Snow is simply frozen water. When the snow absorbs enough heat energy from the pan, the water molecules within the snow gain enough kinetic energy to break free from their rigid structure and transition from a solid (ice) to a liquid (water).

* Melting Point: Water has a specific melting point of 0° Celsius (32° Fahrenheit). Once the snow reaches this temperature, it will melt.

Essentially, the hot pan provides the energy needed to overcome the bonds holding the water molecules in the snow together, causing them to melt into liquid water.