Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am planning on doing a science project on the Mpemba Effect. I did some research about some of the explanations to the Mpemba Effect and there are many different ones. I thought I could narrow down some of these by elimaniting others (if that makes sense) so i would rule out evaporation by putting a lid on my beaker and i thought i could also rule out convection (as in convection currents) So, would i be able to "prevent" the effects of convection currents by constantly stirring the beaker of water while it freezes (i already have a way to do this) Would that prevent the effects of convection currents? I need some advice from an expert! Thanks so much

Hi Scienceforme,

I’m assuming that you’re working on the project described here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p032.shtml

Convection currents can result from hot and cold regions within the beaker of water. Stirring the water should reduce these temperature differences and minimize convection currents.

Regardless of the starting temperature of the water, stirring may change the rate that the temperature drops in the freezer. So it would be good to compare the time to zero degrees with and without stirring for water at different starting temperatures.

I hope this helps and good luck with your project. Please post again if you have more questions.

A. Norman

Thanks so much! That helps a lot