AboutRalph Salier-Hellendag Expertise Science Fair Judge for many years and experience with robotics, biology, chemistry, industrial processes, metalurgy and metal forming.
Experience Science Fair Judge for many years and have helped several students get to state level competition. Most recently 2 of my students received state level awards and one went on to the nationals in Washington DC.
Education/Credentials BA Archaeology - Anthropology
MA Business Anthropology
Question How does the material the container is made from affect the freezing time of water - plastic ,glass or styrofaom and why?
Answer Hi Verna,
The container can make a big difference if it is a good conductor of cold. Aluminum for instance is a great conductor of cold and this is one reason why Pop and Beer are packaged in Aluminum cans. Steel works well too. Glass would be number two with Plastic #3 and styrofoam a distant last. Styrofoam is an insulator which why you can have a hot or cold drink in a stryrofoam cup and it stays hot or cold for a long time.
So, if the material transmits cold, the liquid inside will freeze faster.
