What is what temperature is freezing?

Freezing temperature is the temperature at which a liquid turns into a solid. The specific temperature depends entirely on the substance. The most commonly known freezing point is that of water:

• Water: Freezes at 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) at standard atmospheric pressure. This is a crucial benchmark and often used as a reference point. It's important to note that this can change slightly under different pressures.

However, many other substances have different freezing points:

• Most other liquids: Freeze at temperatures significantly different from water. For example, mercury freezes at -38.83°C (-37.89°F), while ethanol freezes at -114.1°C (-173.4°F).

• The freezing point of a substance can also be affected by:

  • Pressure: Increased pressure generally raises the freezing point, though there are exceptions.
  • Presence of impurities (solutes): Adding salt to water lowers its freezing point, which is why salt is used on icy roads.

Therefore, when discussing "freezing temperature," it's essential to specify what substance is freezing. While 0°C/32°F is a common and important reference point (for water), it's not a universal freezing temperature.