Ice re-freezes quicker if hotter water used to melt it?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the Mpemba effect, where sometimes hot water freezes faster than cold water. The link provided is a paper on the arxiv that is inconclusive about the phenomenon. It also mentions the possibility of impurities in the container walls affecting the freezing process.
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verdigris
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I have read on the faq section of the google physics group that sometimes ice re-freezes faster after hotter water is added to it.How can this happen -
surely something hotter takes longer to cool down?
 
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This paper on the arxiv (http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0512262) about the so-called Mpemba effect strikes me as inconclusive.The section that says hot water pipes burst more often than cold water pipes doesn't mention that the material hot pipes are made from could be weakened by heating and cooling and be more likely to burst on freezing because of this.The mention of dissolved carbon dioxide affecting the enthalpy of freezing is important because crystals need impurities to help them grow and ice crystals are probably no different.I suspect that in many instances of the Mpemba effect energetic hot water has removed chemicals from container walls and that these are impurities that help ice-crystals form.
 
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1. Why does ice re-freeze quicker if hotter water is used to melt it?

Hotter water has more energy and can transfer that energy to the ice faster, causing it to melt quicker. However, once the ice is melted, the excess heat from the water will also be transferred to the surrounding environment, causing the water to cool down faster than if colder water had been used.

2. Is it more efficient to use hotter water to melt ice?

It depends on the specific situation. If you are trying to melt a large amount of ice in a short period of time, then using hotter water may be more efficient. However, if you are trying to conserve energy, it may be more efficient to use colder water and allow it more time to melt the ice.

3. Does the size of the ice cubes affect how quickly they re-freeze after being melted with hot water?

Yes, the size of the ice cubes can affect how quickly they re-freeze. Smaller ice cubes will have a smaller surface area and therefore will melt and re-freeze faster than larger ice cubes with a larger surface area.

4. Can using hotter water to melt ice cause any safety concerns?

Yes, using extremely hot water can cause safety concerns such as burns or scalding. It is important to be cautious when handling hot water and to use appropriate protective gear when necessary.

5. Is there a limit to how hot the water should be when melting ice?

Yes, there is a limit to how hot the water should be when melting ice. Water that is too hot can cause the ice to melt too quickly and can also cause safety concerns. It is generally recommended to use water that is around room temperature or slightly warmer for melting ice.

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