Phase Change Water: Pool vs Lake, Which Freezes First?

In summary, the lake and pool with the same depth of 10 ft will freeze at the same time due to the unique property of water becoming less dense when it freezes. The sheet of ice will form on top of both bodies of water first, regardless of where the water is contained. The thickness of the sheet of ice cannot be determined without knowing the surface area of the lake, but it is important to note that in order for the surface of the water to freeze, the entire body of water must be at or below 4 degrees Celsius. The air temperature does not play a significant role in the freezing process.
  • #1
Aeonic333
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If there is a pool with a depth of 10 ft and a lake with a depth of 10 ft, and the air temperature is below 0 degrees Celsius, which one will freeze first, and why? The lake will form a sheet of ice on top, but will the pool do the same? Can you solve for the thickness of the sheet of ice without knowing the surface area of the lake itself?
 
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  • #2
10 ft of water is 10 ft of water in this case, neglecting the percentage of salts and other things that vary chemically w/n the two bodies of water they should freeze at the same time.

They both will form a sheet of ice on the top 1st. This has absolutely nothing to do w/ where the water is contained (lake or pool). The reason it freezes on the top 1st is b/c of water's exhibits a very unique property. When most things solidify they tend to get more dense, matter taking up less space, however water does not share this property, it gets less dense b/c it organizes in a manner that takes up more space then as a liquid, thus water is more dense as a liquid. More dense state goes to the bottom of the container and the less dense states move upward.

Figuring out the surface thickness I'm not sure of. I do know that in order to freeze the surface of water the temperature of the entire body must be 4 degrees celsius otherwise the sheet of ice on the surface will sink to the bottom warm up and melt while a new sheet of ice forms and repeats the process over and over until the water reaches at or below 4 degrees celsius. Again the sheet sinks b/c of density factors.

So, IF THE BODY OF WATER is zero degrees celsius then the water will freeze, an air temperature of zero degrees I don't think will give us a clue as much as the water temp., I may be wrong on that one though. Hopefully I haven't steered you wrong but there's more details if you need them.
 

1. What is the difference between a pool and a lake in terms of phase change?

A pool is a man-made body of water, typically smaller and with a controlled temperature, while a lake is a natural body of water that can vary in size and temperature.

2. Which one freezes first, a pool or a lake?

In most cases, a pool will freeze first because it is typically smaller and has a more controlled temperature. Lakes, on the other hand, have a larger volume of water and can retain heat better, making them take longer to freeze.

3. Why does a pool freeze faster than a lake?

A pool is usually shallower than a lake, which means there is less water to freeze. Additionally, pools are often heated, which can make the water temperature drop quickly and cause it to freeze faster.

4. Can a lake ever freeze before a pool?

Yes, in some rare cases, a lake can freeze before a pool. This can happen if the lake is very shallow or if the pool is heated and the lake is not.

5. How does phase change affect the freezing process in a pool and a lake?

Phase change is the process of a substance changing from one state of matter to another, such as from liquid to solid. In the case of a pool and a lake, the water is changing from liquid to solid as it freezes. The phase change process is affected by factors such as temperature, volume, and heat retention, which can all vary between a pool and a lake and affect which one freezes first.

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