What Is Frazil Ice?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. What is frazil ice?

The Big Idea

Frazil ice is a river slush made of tiny ice crystals! On very cold nights, rushing water can cool slightly below freezing. Then crystals form all through the flow, like a slushy drink.

Supercold Water

Step one: the water gets super cold. On very cold nights, water in an open, rushing river can cool slightly below freezing. The churning keeps a solid sheet of ice from forming.

Crystals Appear

Step two: crystals appear. Tiny ice crystals form all through the flow. They look like slushy needles. They stick together in mushy clumps.

Frazil Floats

Step three: frazil floats along. The mushy clumps are called frazil ice, and they float down the river like a thick milkshake. Frazil can clog water pipes and gather under river ice, which is why engineers keep watch.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! First, a very cold night chills the river. Tiny crystals form in the moving water. They stick together in mushy clumps. And the whole river looks like a slushy drink.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Frazil can make the river look like a slushy drink. Say it with me: FRAY-zil. Frazil is not a snowflake, it is a tiny ice needle. Frazil can clog water pipes at river intakes. Stay back from icy rivers, and stay with a grown-up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Ask a grown-up to help you stir crushed ice in salty water. Watch how it forms a mushy mix. That slush is a tiny model of frazil. Then tell a grown-up what you noticed!

Outro

Frazil ice is slush that forms in rushing water. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!