Ice Spikes
- Freezing from the outside in: Ice cubes typically freeze from the edges and bottom toward the center and top. This traps a pocket of liquid water inside.
- Water expands as it freezes: Unlike most substances, water expands about 8% when it turns to ice. This expansion creates pressure inside the cube.
- Pressure finds a way out: If there’s a tiny hole or weak spot in the surface ice, the trapped water is forced upward through it.
- Instant freezing: As the water escapes, it freezes in the cold air, forming a narrow tube — the spike! This process can continue for a while, sometimes creating spikes over an inch tall