this post was submitted on 17 Nov 2025
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I don’t think this is true. Just a myth or it only occurs in certain circumstances.
Not a myth, it's known as Mpemba effect, several hypothese about it, but still not clear
https://www.quantamagazine.org/does-hot-water-freeze-faster-than-cold-physicists-keep-asking-20220629/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpemba_effect
From the Wikipedia article.
Also from the Wikipedia article.
If you define the Mpemba effect as hot water reaching 0 degrees faster, then no, it's not observable. But if you define the Mpemba effect as heated water freezing sooner, (remembering that freezing can initiate below the "freezing point" when water is subcooled) then the Mpemba effect may be observed.
If true, it would be interesting that cool water is less likely to nucleate and form ice than water that was heated.