Freezing point of flowing water.

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on whether the freezing point of flowing water decreases compared to still water. Participants agree that flowing water, due to its kinetic energy, is less likely to freeze than still water at 0 degrees Celsius under 1.013 bar atmospheric pressure. The increased Reynolds number in flowing water contributes to turbulence, which raises the latent heat of melting, making freezing less likely. Personal anecdotes, such as the experience of mixing Tang in a flowing stream, illustrate the complexities of freezing dynamics in moving water.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinetic energy and its effects on phase changes
  • Familiarity with the concept of Reynolds number in fluid dynamics
  • Knowledge of latent heat and its role in freezing processes
  • Basic principles of thermodynamics related to water
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  • Research the effects of kinetic energy on the freezing point of liquids
  • Study fluid dynamics, focusing on Reynolds number and turbulence
  • Explore the thermodynamic properties of water, particularly latent heat
  • Investigate real-world applications of freezing dynamics in flowing water systems
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Students and professionals in physics, environmental science, and fluid dynamics, as well as anyone interested in the behavior of water in natural settings.

fatihseker
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Hello,
this is my first post :) I will be very glad if you would answer my question. Does freezing point decrease if water is flowing or in otjer words,"does flowing water freeze more easily than still water". if the answer is yes, would you please give me the link of the source or paper. iwill be very very appreciated. Thanks a lot.
 
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Welcome to PF!

I'd quite like to know the answer to that. :rolleyes:

Anyone? :smile:
 
I would have no idea how to support my answer using physics. But something tells me that the more kinetic energy the water has, the harder it is to stabilize. So I think the faster water flows the lower freezing point it has.
 
Gedankenexperiment

A gently flowing stream of water has/with a very smooth boundary layer transition from no flow attached at the boundary to the highest velocity. Where does the freezing first occur? What pattern might the frozen fluid form?
 
freezing point is 0 degrees celsius at 1.013 bar atmosphere pressure now it depends because since water is flowing it has a kinetic energy and thus making it harder to freeze as we know solid form is just molecules moving closer together, slowing down etc... which means u will rarely find ice on flowing water
 
One possibility is that water at 0 Celsius rapidly increases viscosity as it begins to freeze, so if it is flowing, there is increased Reynold's number (turbulence) and thus increased kinetic energy being converted into latent heat of melting. Many years ago, I was camping near a flowing stream in the winter. When I arose in the morning, I mixed a cup of Tang using the stream water, which quickly began to freeze in my tin cup. Was it the Tang that made it freeze?

Bob S
 
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