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Samadhi · +1

Many moons ago a friend told me about an experiment in his physics class. They took "cold" and "warm" water and then put them in a freezer to see which would freeze first. According to my friend the warm water froze first. I argued against the notion, I mean it flies in the face of reason. At some point the warm water will cool to the temperature that the cold water started at. He said he saw it with his own eyes but couldn't give a cause for the effect.

Occasionally over the years I've tried to find support for his claim but haven't found it. I figured this forum would be a good one to post the question in.

All things being equal (container, freezer, amount of water, etc), is it possible for some water at Y + X degrees to freeze faster than the same amount of water at Y degrees (assuming X is positive)?

Vinny · Promiscuous enough

troll

Quailman · His Postmajesty

Old physics teacher trick. Add quite a bit of salt to the cold water beforehand. If you get the right concentration, it will freeze at zero degrees [fahrenheit]. The warmer water will freeze when you expect it to.

extropalopakettle · No offense, but....

http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20030930.html

Also, "water heated to, say, 195 degrees would freeze three to ten minutes faster than water at 140-175 degrees."
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_098b

pikachamp · swore in chat!

I've heard of this before, apparantly if the hotter water is hot enough, some of it will initially evaporate, and it'll freeze faster for having less mass.

Vinny · Promiscuous enough

There *was* a thread on the GL about this before! A few years back.

How soon we forget ... sigh ...

Samadhi · +1

To forget it, I would have had to see it in the first place my little gremlin.

Vinny · Promiscuous enough

Well, that is true. But *I* have read it, and that's what matter.

*sic*

I kid!

And I can't even remember what was said in that original thread.

I think it's even a Cecil's article. Some of you Straight Doper should look up uncle Cecil's answer. (Or do they charge you for that now?)

Vinny · Promiscuous enough

ah, here we are.

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_098b.html

wordcross · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 5:27 am Post subject: 10

Too late...
Do you even bother to read the thread before you post, Vinny

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Legion · Daedalian Member

Yeah, water's pretty freaky stuff.

http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/explan4.html#mpemba

Vinny · Promiscuous enough

Hey, I got a question for you, wordcross: Shaddup!!!

Will · Won't

in the warm water the molecules are moveing faster thefore the molecules come into contact with other the ones that have been to the side of the container cooling down. You can probaly get the picture now.

Legion · Daedalian Member

What???
Have you read any of the references that have been posted?

[This message has been edited by Legion (edited 04-26-2004 10:02 AM).]