This is What I've Been Waiting For (Part 3)

Wonder of Water Miracle of Molecules
Water is a polar molecule which means that it has both positive and negatively charged ends.  Like the poles of a magnet the poles of a water molecule are attracted to each other.  These polar attractions are called hydrogen bonds. In its liquid state water molecules form and break hydrogen bonds at breakneck speeds.  It is the coupling and uncoupling of molecules that allows liquid water to both stick together and flow.

As the energy economy of water moves toward recession (the molecules get colder) the molecules become increasingly thrifty with their motion.  Just as a frugal investor might favor stable government issued bonds to avoid the risks of a down market, water molecules hedge their more fluid hydrogen bonds for steady hydrogen bonds entropicly issued by their crystalline structure.  

So what does this have to do with the rink? The rink survived because of one of waters properties that comes partnered with its polarity, specifically, its specific heat. Specific heat is the amount of energy a substance can absorb before changing its temperature and water has one of the highest specific heat values of any substance and its resistance to changing temperature is even greater when frozen. 

In anthropomorphic terms Ice is more willing to organize itself into a solid than it is to regain the increased freedom its molecules would enjoy as a liquid.  In a down energy economy the frozen water molecules are hesitant to liquidate their assets.

And so the rink survives due to the miracle that is water.

There was also a nice mini miracle in the form of a late New Years Eve rain/snow storm followed by a two day respite from the tropical winter. January started with temperatures in the teens and the accumulated snow made for nice patch material to fill the accumulated holes in the rink.  Over those two days I carefully but aggressively flooded the rink and gained several centimeters of ice.

The temporary relief from rising temperatures (we were back in the fourties again today) along with my renewed confidence in the forgiving properties of my favorite polar molecule was what I was waiting for and has helped me enjoy a happy new year.