• @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    -6
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    The water has to be cooled too, and there’s still air around it though?

    I guess we’re talking about direct contact, not around a container, otherwise the water turned ice may even serve as an insulator?

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      81 year ago

      The water creates a better way to transfer heat from the container to the freezer because it has direct contact with the container and replaces the air around it. Yes the water needs to be cooled too, but still the process is way faster because air really is a good insulator for heat. This is why insulating materials for houses e.g. always try to maximize air content (foam, glass wool, styrofoam)

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        61 year ago

        You also get evaporative cooling, as the freezer is a very low humidity environment. This is accelerating the cooling much more than any thermal conductivity the water adds.

        The reverse process is why humid air makes your beverages get warm quickly when the water precipitates on a cold can/glass.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        31 year ago

        N.B. maximize air content while minimising air movement and therefore convection. Otherwise you could just have cavities in your walls for maximum air.