Solving the Mystery of Water Freezing Instantly in a Bowl

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The phenomenon of water freezing instantly in a bowl is primarily due to the presence of supercooled water, which can remain liquid below 0°C without forming ice. This occurs when the water lacks impurities or ice nuclei that would typically trigger freezing. To achieve this effect, it is recommended to use commercial mineral water at temperatures around -1 to -2 °C, and to consider using distilled water for better results. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the warmth transfer coefficient and the cooling method, potentially involving liquid nitrogen.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of supercooled liquids
  • Knowledge of thermal conductivity and warmth transfer coefficients
  • Familiarity with the properties of distilled and mineral water
  • Basic principles of phase transitions in materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and behavior of supercooled water
  • Explore methods for achieving supercooling in liquids
  • Investigate the role of impurities in freezing point depression
  • Learn about the thermal conductivity of various materials
USEFUL FOR

Scientists, educators, and enthusiasts interested in thermodynamics, phase transitions, and experimental physics will benefit from this discussion.

katchum
Messages
116
Reaction score
0
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1755006

This may be old but...

How does this work? They need to have a huge warmth transfer coefficient for this to happen? Maybe the water is at 0°C already and a small amount of energy should be taken to get this effect. Is it electromagnetical or is the bowl just cooled with liquid nitrogen or something. The conductivity of water can't be that great?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Science news on Phys.org
No, it is just supercooled water. You can cool water well under 0°C but it will not transform in ice if there is not a "seed" of ice or some "good" impurity.
 
What temperature do you recommend for the refrigerator? Half filled or fully filled bottle? Maybe some distillation of the water first?
 
Last edited:
Sorry, I have never tried. But I think that I will begin with just commercial mineral water as you buy it (before opening the bottle). And begin with a temperature of just -1 or -2 °C. If it doesn't work, I would try distilled water for medical applications (in the unopened original bottle). But as I said, I have never tried myself.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Optimizing homemade ice cream freezing with brine
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
8K
Undergrad Why Does Hot Water Freeze Faster Than Cold?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Undergrad Why hot water freezes faster than cold water?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Evaporating water using heat and reducing vapour pressure
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
8K
Calculating the fraction of water that freezes.
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
The highest temperature that enables water to freeze
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Does the Water Freeze When a Cooled Aluminum Cylinder is Placed in It?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
I have a few questions about refrigeration and AC units
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Plumbing Compressed air powered water pressure
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
15K
Heat transfer in wing by anti-ice system using hot air in piccolo tube
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K