What liquids freeze at a lower temperature than water?
Water freezes at 0C (32F). Many liquids freeze at lower temperatures. For example, pure ethyl alcohol (ethanol) freezes at -114.1C (-173.4F). The metal Mercury is liquid at normal temperatures and freezes below -40C (-40F). Mixing soluble materials such as salt or alcohol with water lowers the freezing point. Ethylene glycol is a liquid commonly used as anti-freeze in car engines. It has a freezing point of -13 C (8.6F). A mixture of equal amounts of ethylene glycol and water has a freezing point about -40C (-40F), which is much lower than the freezing point of either of the two pure liquids. For more information about antifreeze see SEED FAQ 1175. Most gases turn to liquid at very low temperatures. At normal atmospheric pressure, oxygen becomes liquid below -183C (-297.3F) and freezes at -218.8C (-361.8F). Helium will not freeze at normal pressure, even at close to absolute zero, which is considered to be the lowest possible temperature in the Universe at -273.15C (-459.67F).
