Ice-nine facts for kids
Ice-nine is a special, made-up material from a novel called Cat's Cradle. This book was written by a famous author named Kurt Vonnegut. In the story, Ice-nine is a very unusual type of ice. Unlike regular ice, which freezes at 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), Ice-nine can freeze at much warmer temperatures.
Contents
What is Ice-nine?
Ice-nine is a fictional substance. It is described as a special crystal form of water. The scary thing about Ice-nine is its unique freezing point. It can freeze at temperatures as high as 45.8 degrees Celsius (114.4 degrees Fahrenheit). This is much warmer than a hot summer day!
How Does Ice-nine Work?
In the novel, if even a tiny piece of Ice-nine touches any other water, it causes that water to instantly turn into more Ice-nine. This happens because the special crystal structure of Ice-nine spreads very quickly. It acts like a seed, making all nearby water molecules arrange themselves into the Ice-nine pattern.
The Story of Ice-nine in Cat's Cradle
The idea of Ice-nine is central to Kurt Vonnegut's book, Cat's Cradle. In the story, a scientist named Dr. Felix Hoenikker invents Ice-nine. He creates it as a way to help soldiers cross muddy battlefields. However, he doesn't realize how dangerous his invention truly is.
The Danger of Ice-nine
The biggest problem with Ice-nine is its ability to freeze all water it touches. In the novel, a terrible accident happens. The entire world's oceans, rivers, and lakes are accidentally frozen solid by Ice-nine. This event leads to a global disaster, showing how a powerful invention can have huge, unintended consequences. It's a fictional warning about the dangers of science without enough thought for safety.
See also
In Spanish: Hielo-9 para niños
