Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: thedoc on 20/10/2016 09:53:02

Title: Why do ice cubes shrink in the freezer?
Post by: thedoc on 20/10/2016 09:53:02

Naji asked the Naked Scientists:
   Hi,

I have a science question for The Naked Scientists.

I have noticed that when I leave a filled ice cube tray in the freezer for long enough, the ice cubes noticeably shrink in size over time. Why does this happen?

Thank you!
What do you think?

Title: Re: Why do ice cubes shrink?
Post by: evan_au on 20/10/2016 10:16:23

Ice has a very low vapor pressure, so a small amount of ice can turn directly from solid to gas.
This water vapor is extracted by a fan, preventing the freezer from becoming encrusted with ice (like old-fashioned fridges).
An unfortunate side-effect of this invention is that ice-cubes shrink if you leave them in the freezer for too long.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-defrost#Mechanism

Title: Re: Why do ice cubes shrink?
Post by: mrsmith2211 on 21/10/2016 00:54:40

It is part of the defrost cycle, no defrost cycle and they will grow albeit in a fuzzy manner.