When water freezes, strange shapes may appear

[g.lemaitre]

do you see in that photo how that little stick of ice shoots out from the top? What do you think caused that?

 

[Drakkith]

No idea. I've used ice trays plenty of times and I've never once seen anything like this. What were the conditions it froze under?

 

[mikeph]

The centre top is the last place to freeze on the surface, then as more water freezes from the side/bottom faces, the central liquid is forced upwards through the hole. As it reaches the top of the hole it's forced outward (where it freezes) by more liquid coming up. So this makes a sort of ice-pipe where more water can escape.

A few people have made time-lapse videos of this effect!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSNtnhpvs1Q&feature=related

 

[g.lemaitre]

excellent answer and excellent video, you really rock Mikey. i couldn't be more pleased with your answer.