How do ice cubes make the whole drink cold?

Ice cubes make your drink cold through a process called heat transfer. Here's how it works:

1. Temperature Difference: Ice cubes are at a temperature of 0°C (32°F), while your drink is typically at a higher temperature. This creates a temperature difference.

2. Heat Flow: Heat always flows from a warmer object to a colder object. In this case, heat flows from your drink to the ice cubes.

3. Melting: The heat absorbed by the ice cubes causes them to melt. The energy required to change ice into water (the heat of fusion) is significant, drawing more heat from your drink.

4. Cooling: As the ice cubes absorb heat and melt, the temperature of your drink decreases, making it colder.

Additional factors:

* Surface Area: Smaller ice cubes have a larger surface area relative to their volume, allowing for faster heat transfer and faster cooling.

* Stirring: Stirring your drink helps distribute the cold water from the melting ice evenly, resulting in a more uniformly chilled beverage.

* Type of Ice: Ice made with distilled water melts more slowly than ice made with tap water, keeping your drink cold for a longer time.

So, in essence, the ice cubes act as a thermal sink, absorbing heat from your drink and transferring it to themselves, causing them to melt and your drink to cool down.