August 06, 2008

Cracked jar

You all know that water expands when it freezes.

Two days ago, I filled this 10cm-tall jar with water (not full). I placed the lid loosely on top so that if the water expands, it can flow out. Then I put it in the freezer. But, you see what happened - the force exerted by the freezing water was so strong it cracked the jar.

The ice still inside ....

As if the jar was sliced into 2 halves by a sharp knife ...

7 comments:

Victor said...

When the water starts to freeze, it can't flow freely anymore. And since your clay jar can't expand (in fact, it contracted a little when cold) so it cracked lor.

Victor said...

After taking a second look at the shape of the jar, I was wondering how you are going to take the ice out if the jar didn't crack into two.

Notice that the neck of the jar is narrower than the middle of the body. There would have been no way to take out the block of ice unless you wait for it to melt a little.

Anonymous said...

I have no intention of taking out the ice.

You see, Vic, that day there was electricity disruption for several hours, so I wanted to put the whole jar of ice in the non-freezer section to help to keep the temperature low.

Haha, so later I put the ice in a bowl instead.

Victor said...

Fr - In that case, may I recommend you a simpler and safer solution that requires less hassle? That is use a normal thin plastic bag instead. Fill it up with water and make sure it doesn't leak. Then put it in the freezer and let it freeze over. I guarantee that the bag will not break. I have tried it before many times.

Victor said...

Oh I missed out one crucial step. Tie the filled plastic bag (with a knot or with a rubber band) before putting it into the freezer.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try.

Miko said...

Amazing!