Scientists have been searching for over 2 centuries to understand the phenomenon of slippery ice and the causes of the liquid layer on the surface of ice. However, so far we only have many different hypotheses without a precise or definitive explanation.
This includes renowned scientists and researchers such as Michael Faraday, James Thomson, Osborne Reynolds, and Philip Browden.
The slippery ice surface is due to a “lubricating layer” pushed to the surface. (Photo: Getty).
Specifically, Michael Faraday proposed the principle that the slippery nature of ice is due to melting at the surface layer. Meanwhile, Thomson’s hypothesis suggests that the gradual melting at the surface of the ice is caused by pressure. There are also opinions that this property is caused by friction.
In general, opinions suggest that the combination of factors gives the ice surface a particularly slippery layer that is almost unaffected by external elements. However, no one has explained how they operate or what factors influence them.
Recently, a study from Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, confirmed that the reason ice is slippery is due to a “slippery layer” that always exists on the surface.
Based on the findings of Michael Faraday and other pioneering scientists, the research team asserted that the “lubrication” occurring on the surface of the ice is when pressure increases, causing the lubricant to be pushed toward the surface and come into contact with the external environment.
The existence of this layer ultimately makes ice slipperier, leading to a higher likelihood of accidents related to slipping or vehicle incidents.
To reach the above conclusion, scientists used computer simulations to analyze the movement of solid objects on the ice surface at the atomic level, equivalent to one billionth of a meter.
Luis González MacDowell, a researcher on the project, emphasized the importance of this discovery and suggested that extensive knowledge about the ice surface could help improve the performance of Olympic athletes as well as ensure vehicle safety during winter.
