Mar 052019
 

We are always glad to hear readers’ opinions and grateful for corrections or clarifications on any topics we cover. Thanks to one astute reader for this letter regarding the January/February 2019 article, “Frozen Water in Belmont: Stories of Imagination and Unexpected Consequences” by Anne-Marie Lambert.

To the Editor,

Concerning the box on the bottom of page 17 on the molecular structure of water:

The statement, “The coldest and densest water in a pond is still at the bottom, but then floats to the surface as the hexagon ice crystals form” is incorrect.

Water has its maximum density at 4°C (just under 40°F). That is what the temperature at the bottom of the pond with ice on it will be. Going back to the above statement:

  1. Yes, the densest water in a pond is at the bottom.
  2. No, the coldest water is not at the bottom, but at the surface.
  3. Ice does not form at the bottom and float up, but forms at the surface.

Howard Herzog

MIT Energy Initiative

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