The Science Behind Why Water Freezes When Shaken

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter swraman
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Science Water
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The phenomenon of water freezing instantly upon shaking is known as "supercooling." When water is placed in a freezer, it can remain in a liquid state below its normal freezing point due to a lack of nucleation sites for ice crystals. However, when the bottle is shaken, the disturbance provides the necessary energy for the water molecules to arrange themselves into a solid structure, resulting in rapid freezing. This process was discussed in the context of high school chemistry demonstrations and can be further explored through various educational videos available online.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of molecular structure and behavior
  • Basic principles of thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with the concept of nucleation
  • Knowledge of phase transitions in chemistry
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "supercooling" and its applications in various scientific fields
  • Explore the principles of nucleation and its role in phase transitions
  • Watch educational videos on supercooling experiments
  • Investigate the thermodynamic properties of water and ice
USEFUL FOR

Students in chemistry, educators conducting demonstrations, and anyone interested in the physical properties of water and phase transitions.

swraman
Messages
165
Reaction score
0
Hi.

I for the life of me can't remember the explanation to this...I remember learning it in High school but now I am just drawing a blank.

When I put a bottle of water in the freezer and let it sit for a long time, it doesn't freeze.

When I pull out the bottle it is clearly 100% still liquid. But, If I give it a shake, BAM! Instant Ice.

I remember something about the water molecules getting in place, but under some condition they don't freeze but still get colder and colder...but if something moves them they will instantly freeze. Not sure if this is right.

I don't know, but this has been happening to me for a few days now and I just want to know why. Cant seem to find it on the internet anywhere!

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
searcg for "supercooling"
 
You can find videos on youtube about this. As mgb_phys said, it's "supercooling"
 
Ah, thanks, now I remember.

I should remember this, haha last semester we covered it in chem and did demos on it...:rolleyes:

Thanks again
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Why does salt reduce the freezing point of water?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
8K
High School Why does water freeze differently when leaves are present on a shelter roof?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad How can visible gas bubbles remain intact inside frozen water?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
Undergrad Why hot water freezes faster than cold water?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Does movement affect H2O freezing temperature?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
6K
High School Why does water level stay the same when ice melts inside the water?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Undergrad Hydrogen Bonds in Water and Ice
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
6K
High School Freezing Salt Water Experiment
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
High School Freezing water of different starting temp.
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Graduate Questions about fusion point of water, experiments
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K