What is what temp is freezing?

The freezing point of water, the most common substance we consider when talking about freezing, is 0 degrees Celsius, which is equivalent to 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 273.15 Kelvin.

It's important to note that:

  • Other substances freeze at different temperatures. For example, ethanol freezes at -114°C.
  • Freezing point can be affected by pressure and impurities. Adding salt to water, for instance, lowers its freezing point. This is why we use salt to de-ice roads in winter.
  • Freezing is a phase transition, meaning a change in the state of matter from liquid to solid. During freezing, the molecules in a substance lose kinetic energy and become more ordered, forming a solid structure.

So while 0°C/32°F is the commonly known freezing point, it's crucial to remember that this only applies to pure water under standard atmospheric pressure.