Fact Check: "Water freezes at 0°C under standard atmospheric pressure."
What We Know
The claim that water freezes at 0°C under standard atmospheric pressure is a well-established scientific fact. The freezing point of water is defined as the temperature at which it transitions from liquid to solid form. Under standard atmospheric pressure (1 atmosphere or 101.3 kPa), pure water freezes at 0°C (32°F) (source-1). This phenomenon is a fundamental principle in thermodynamics and is widely accepted in both scientific literature and educational materials.
The freezing point can be influenced by factors such as pressure and the presence of impurities. For example, increasing pressure can lower the freezing point of water, while the addition of solutes (like salt) can also alter the freezing temperature (source-2). However, under normal conditions, the freezing point remains at 0°C.
Analysis
The reliability of the sources confirming this claim is high. The definition of the freezing point of water is consistent across various scientific texts and educational resources. For instance, the European Commission's documentation on water quality and management emphasizes the importance of understanding water's physical properties, including its freezing point, in the context of environmental management (source-1).
Additionally, scientific consensus supports that 0°C is the freezing point of pure water at standard atmospheric pressure. This is corroborated by numerous studies and textbooks in the fields of chemistry and physics (source-2). The claim has been tested and validated through extensive research, making it a cornerstone of physical science education.
While some sources discuss variations in freezing points due to different conditions, these do not contradict the claim but rather provide context for understanding how external factors can influence water's state changes. Therefore, the claim holds true under the specified conditions of standard atmospheric pressure.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The statement that "water freezes at 0°C under standard atmospheric pressure" is accurate and supported by scientific evidence. The freezing point of water is a fundamental concept in science, universally recognized and validated across various reputable sources.
Sources
- Call for evidence begins on EU Water Resilience Strategy
- Rand Water
- Global urbanisation identified as the landscape change most responsible for water quality deterioration
- Changing Lives: Uttarakhand Transforms Its Water Supply Services
- European Water Resilience Strategy - European Commission
- New World Bank Program to Improve Water Supply and Quality
- Water Reuse - European Commission - Environment
- New rules for urban wastewater management set to enter into force
