Snap Freezing

[Denver]

I watched the top surface of a small pool of water freeze once. On purpose, even.

A large crystal would form in one spot; instantly disappear, and another would appear next to it. It was like a flashing on and off. Eventually, the "on" became more common than the "off" and the surface had a thin ice coating.
Quite fascinating, actually.
Though it must sound like a boring thing to do.

Interesting - was this pool of water a pond? How big was it, and what were the other conditions involved?

 

[quarky]

Interesting - was this pool of water a pond? How big was it, and what were the other conditions involved?

Glad you asked.

The pool was a Walmart 'special'; roughly 3' deep; 12' diameter.
The night I chose to do the observation was the night of our first predictable hard freeze, after many days of 33 degrees F. Or, like, one degree Celsius.

(Celsius is a wimp, unless its really hot out. Kelvin is my personal go-to temp king.)

So, I knew this opportunity was upon me.

The initial moments of crystallization had exothermic attitudes; they bailed quick from their own excitement.
The surface positively 'pulsated' with this subtle energy exchange.

Are you asking if I was also under the influence of lsd?
Because I find that "offensive, your honor, and irrelevant."

 

[Denver]

Glad you asked.

The pool was a Walmart 'special'; roughly 3' deep; 12' diameter.
The night I chose to do the observation was the night of our first predictable hard freeze, after many days of 33 degrees F. Or, like, one degree Celsius.

(Celsius is a wimp, unless its really hot out. Kelvin is my personal go-to temp king.)

So, I knew this opportunity was upon me.

The initial moments of crystallization had exothermic attitudes; they bailed quick from their own excitement.
The surface positively 'pulsated' with this subtle energy exchange.

That all sounds pretty cool (no pun intended). I may have to try it come winter.

Are you asking if I was also under the influence of lsd?
Because I find that "offensive, your honor, and irrelevant."

Yes I was, but by "lsd" I meant "liquid sciency discoveries".

 

[quarky]

That all sounds pretty cool (no pun intended). I may have to try it come winter.



Yes I was, but by "lsd" I meant "liquid sciency discoveries".

so we're cool, then.



and yes, a phenomena well worth observing.