**Ask a monkey a physics question thread**

[Savy]

Surely we can test this purely using heat then? Assuming that has a big enough effect on humidity (i.e. I can do it with a thermostat).

[OngBonga]

Surely we can test this purely using heat then? Assuming that has a big enough effect on humidity (i.e. I can do it with a thermostat).

Yeah if you blast the glass with a blowtorch for 10 seconds or so just before you put the ice in, I reckon there will be zero condensation.

[Savy]

Yeah if you blast the glass with a blowtorch for 10 seconds or so just before you put the ice in, I reckon there will be zero condensation.

That is unrealistic though that's my point.

I can easily get 0 degrees for one room and 30 degrees in another (assuming we have a few cold days left in the UK this year). Is this effect anything relative to what a dehumidifier does?

[OngBonga]

That is unrealistic though that's my point.

I can easily get 0 degrees for one room and 30 degrees in another (assuming we have a few cold days left in the UK this year). Is this effect anything relative to what a dehumidifier does?

I doubt it. I mean when you put the ice in the glass, you're not really going to be controlling the temperature where it needs to be controlled... the glass and surrounding air. If you succeed in raising the temperature of the glass and air around it, then you're just going to melt the ice faster. Seems like this is more of a problem than the condensation.

Dehumidification doesn't have this problem.

[Savy]

I doubt it. I mean when you put the ice in the glass, you're not really going to be controlling the temperature where it needs to be controlled... the glass and surrounding air. If you succeed in raising the temperature of the glass and air around it, then you're just going to melt the ice faster. Seems like this is more of a problem than the condensation.

Dehumidification doesn't have this problem.

The effect happens quite quickly, much more so than the ice getting even close to completely melted.

[OngBonga]

The effect happens quite quickly, much more so than the ice getting even close to completely melted.

Warmer air = warmer glass so heating the air will definitely reduce the condensation, but I really can't see it doing as good a job as the dehumidifier.

Another thing you could do is the increase the pressure in the room, I think that will inhibit condensation.

[Savy]

Warmer air = warmer glass so heating the air will definitely reduce the condensation, but I really can't see it doing as good a job as the dehumidifier.

Another thing you could do is the increase the pressure in the room, I think that will inhibit condensation.

You're not very good at finding reasonable engineering solutions to problems. For example put a bit of blue-tack on your coaster solves the majority of this problem much cheaper and easier than anything you've suggested.