Mysterious Ice Cube Tray Phenomenon

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of supercooled water observed in a 2x2x2 inch ice cube tray. Users noted that after six hours in a freezer, the water remained unfrozen, exhibiting a snow-like consistency when disturbed. This behavior is attributed to supercooling, where water remains liquid below its freezing point until a disturbance, such as stirring, triggers the freezing process. The discussion highlights the importance of water purity and the role of seeding in the freezing process.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of supercooling and its principles
  • Knowledge of the freezing point of water
  • Familiarity with the concept of nucleation in phase transitions
  • Basic principles of thermodynamics related to temperature and state changes
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of supercooling in liquids
  • Explore the role of nucleation in freezing processes
  • Investigate the effects of water purity on freezing behavior
  • Learn about the thermodynamics of phase transitions in liquids
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Anyone interested in physical chemistry, scientists studying phase transitions, and individuals curious about the behavior of water in freezing conditions will benefit from this discussion.

ax0
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I'm sure this is a totally amateur question, but today I got one of those big ice cube trays for 2x2x2 inch cubes. I filled it up and put it in my freezer, and about 6 hours later checked on it but the water was not frozen at all. Not even a crust on top. I put my finger in one of the squares and swirled it and in that moment the purely liquid water became a snow-like consistency. I did it again with the other squares and the same thing happened. What causes this?
 
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ax0 said:
I put my finger in one of the squares and swirled it and in that moment the purely liquid water became a snow-like consistency. I did it again with the other squares and the same thing happened. What causes this?

a very poorly operating freezer ... my cubes would be solid ice after 2 - 3 hours
a 1.25 bottle of coke will freeze for me in a couple of hours
 
ax0 said:
I put my finger in one of the squares and swirled it and in that moment the purely liquid water became a snow-like consistency. I did it again with the other squares and the same thing happened. What causes this?

Sounds like the water was in a supercooled state. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercooling
 
ax0 said:
Not even a crust on top. I put my finger in one of the squares and swirled it and in that moment the purely liquid water became a snow-like consistency.

Drakkith said:
Sounds like the water was in a supercooled state. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercooling
yes and the adding of the finger to stir it added the seeding process for it to freeze
reasonably pure water can be lowered below its freezing point without freezing ... till seeding occurs
 

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