Why is it that if I put an ice cube in a glass of water and turn the glass, the ice cube does not rotate with it?

Question

Why is it that if I put an ice cube in a glass of water and turn the glass, the ice cube does not rotate with it?

In: Physics

Answer 1

To add to all the good answer already made:

If you fill a glass with water and put it in the freezer and then turn it, you turn the ice together with the glass. If you wait a bit until a small layer of water has formed between the glass and ice and then turn the glass, you’ll find it will take less force and the ice won’t rotate with the glass.

This is because also turning the ice would use more power and nature always takes the path of least resistance. Only when it’s all frozen and bonded together the ice has to turn with the glass and so it will