Science, Tech, Math › Science What Is the Freezing Point of Water? Temperature of Freezing Water from a Liquid to a Solid Print ThoughtCo / Hilary Allison Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on October 08, 2019 What is the freezing point of water or the melting point of water? Are the freezing point and melting point the same? Are there any factors that affect the freezing point of water? Here's a look at the answers to these common questions. Read More What Is the Melting Point of Water? By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. The freezing point or melting point of water is the temperature at which water changes phase from a liquid to a solid or vice versa. The freezing point describes the liquid to solid transition while the melting point is the temperature at which water goes from a solid (ice) to liquid water. In theory, the two temperatures would be the same, but liquids can be supercooled beyond their freezing points so that they don't solidify until well below freezing point. Ordinarily, the freezing point of water and melting point is 0 °C or 32 °F. The temperature may be lower if supercooling occurs or if there are impurities present in the water which could cause freezing point depression to occur. Under certain conditions, water may remain a liquid as cold as -40 to -42°F! How can water remain a liquid so far below its usual freezing point? The answer is that water needs a seed crystal or other small particle (nucleus) on which to form crystals. While dust or impurities normally offer a nucleus, very pure water won't crystallize until the structure of liquid water molecules approaches that of solid ice. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "What Is the Freezing Point of Water?" ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/the-freezing-point-of-water-609418. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). What Is the Freezing Point of Water? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-freezing-point-of-water-609418 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "What Is the Freezing Point of Water?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/the-freezing-point-of-water-609418 (accessed April 20, 2024). copy citation