The Mpemba effect, named after Tanzanian student Erasto Mpemba, is the assertion that warmer water can sometimes freeze faster than colder water. Although there is anecdotal support for the effect, there is no agreement on exactly what the effect is and under what circumstances it occurs. There have been reports of similar phenomena since ancient times, although with insufficient detail for the claims to be replicated.
The phenomenon seems contrary to thermodynamics but a number of possible explanations for the effect have been proposed. Further, investigations will need to decide on a precise definition of 'freezing' and control a vast number of starting parameters in order to confirm or explain the effect.
Read more about Mpemba Effect: Historical Observations, Mpemba's Observations, Effect Definition, Suggested Explanations, Recent View of The Mpemba Effect
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