Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 16 - Think and Explain - Page 317-318: 62

Answer

Typically, the cold water produced when the ice melts will flow down, starting convection currents, and mixing with the warmer tea. If ice cubes sat at the bottom, then as they melted the cold water would stay at the bottom, not mixing with the warm tea, resulting in less cooling.
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