Strange Ice Formation: Unusual Sundial-Shaped Ice Formed in Cat Bowl

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an unusual sundial-shaped ice formation observed in a cat bowl that was left outside during freezing temperatures. Participants explore potential causes for this phenomenon, considering various hypotheses related to the formation of ice under specific conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster describes a sundial-shaped ice formation and speculates about possible causes, including the presence of a hair or spider web.
  • One participant suggests that something must have been attached to the bowl to allow such a formation to occur, agreeing with the original poster's hypothesis about a spider web.
  • Another participant shares their experience with similar ice formations occurring with ice cubes and standing water, providing a link to a resource on ice spikes.
  • A subsequent reply acknowledges the shared link and expresses understanding of the phenomenon, suggesting that the distilled nature of rainwater may contribute to the formation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty about the exact cause of the ice formation, with multiple hypotheses presented but no consensus reached on a definitive explanation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the underlying assumptions about the conditions required for the observed ice formation, nor does it clarify the specific mechanisms involved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in natural phenomena, ice formation, or those curious about unusual weather-related occurrences may find this discussion relevant.

PhysCou
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hi everyone!

My first post, so bear with me. I have a query that I didn't quite know who to ask about, and came across this site, so I hope this is the right place to put it.

My cat's bowl was left (empty) on the verandah and got caught in the rain yesterday afternoon. Overnight temperatures dropped to below freezing, but not much: I would guess to about -2 C, as it was just below -1 when I got up at seven o'clock. When daylight broke (and I could see the bowl) I noticed a strange sundial-shaped ice formation, and this is what has me flummoxed. I was so baffled that I took it in and stuck it in the freezer so I would have time to take some pictures.

What on Earth could have caused it? I have pondered this all day... a hair? ...a spider web? I cannot see anything inside the spike: it looks as if something jumped in or out of the water as it was freezing, but am well enough informed to realize that it would have to be a lot colder for that to happen, if it would be at all possible.

Since I am new to this I hope my attached pictures will upload properly, if they don't I will try again.

I am grateful for any insights.

Bye for now!
 

Attachments

  • Outside 1.JPG
    Outside 1.JPG
    31.3 KB · Views: 515
  • In freezer 1.JPG
    In freezer 1.JPG
    30.6 KB · Views: 422
Physics news on Phys.org
I can't make any sense of it either. I suspect, like you, that "something" had to have been attached to the bowl at that angle to allow such a formation to build-up. At least that's my take on it. I would not have thought of a spider web had you not brought it up, but that ssems a reasonable candidate. Hmmm... just don't know.
 
That's a great link mender. I read it and it now makes sense. Nice job.
 
Good catch, Mender.
Rainwater is essentially distilled, so it makes sense.
 
Hello there, pallidin and mender!

Thank you so much both of you for responding to my query; I am grateful and feel I can sleep tonight without thinking about this any more...

And, mender, a special thanks for giving us the link with the pictures - they certainly look precisely like what I had in the bowl!

Bye for now!
 

Similar threads

High School Why do ice cubes form strange icicles on top when frozen?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
6K
Heat transfer in wing by anti-ice system using hot air in piccolo tube
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
High School Why does ice grow in the freezer rather than evaporate?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
High School Strange ice formation, gravity-defying ?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
Undergrad Why can't I kill the ice cubes >:o (in a Microwave Oven)
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
HVAC Efficiency of a homemade Air Conditioning unit
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
8K
High School How Can You Make Clear Ice in a Home Freezer?
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
33K
Mysterious Ice Shard Formation in Freezer
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Heat conduction and phase changes
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Radius of ice melted by heat from a point.
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K