What is an Ice Point?
The ice point is a temperature at normal atmospheric pressure at which it is possible for solid and liquid water to coexist in a state of thermal equilibrium. Many temperature scales have historically utilized the ice point of water for calibration. In Fahrenheit, this temperature is 32 degrees, while the Celsius scale places it at zero degrees. The ice point is not the same thing as the freezing point, an important distinction, especially among quibbling and precise scientists. When discussing the freezing point of water, people often refer to the temperatures of the ice point, because water does in fact freeze at this point. However, several factors can influence the freezing point of water, including salinity. Saltwater can actually become supercooled, meaning that it passes below the point at which it would normally freeze before it freezes solid. Many substances possess the capacity to become supercooled under certain conditions. A closely related concept is the triple point, the
