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

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Mpemba effect, which suggests that hot water can freeze faster than cold water under certain conditions. Key points include the role of impurities in ice crystal formation and the potential impact of dissolved gases like carbon dioxide on freezing enthalpy. The argument highlights that the material properties of containers may influence the freezing process, as hot water may remove impurities from the walls that facilitate crystal growth. The paper referenced from arXiv raises questions about the conclusiveness of existing explanations for this phenomenon.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Mpemba effect and its implications in thermodynamics.
  • Familiarity with the role of impurities in crystal growth.
  • Knowledge of enthalpy and its effects on phase changes.
  • Basic principles of heat transfer and material science.
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  • Research the Mpemba effect in detail, focusing on experimental evidence and theoretical explanations.
  • Explore the role of impurities in ice crystal formation and their impact on freezing rates.
  • Investigate the effects of dissolved gases on the physical properties of water and ice.
  • Study material science principles related to thermal expansion and contraction in different substances.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, chemists, and material scientists interested in thermodynamics, phase transitions, and the Mpemba effect, as well as educators seeking to explain these concepts in a classroom setting.

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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