ELI5. running water doesn’t freeze

Question

I know water freezes at 32F (0C). But it can be colder than that and not freeze, but the water is moving. Why is that? Friction of water molecules?

In: 6

Answer 1

When water freezes, the molecules are just interlocking into a crystallized formation.

When water is moving, there’s a ton of turbulence moving the molecules around that makes it more difficult for them to align themselves into the right pattern to form a crystal.

Think of it like trying to do a jigsaw puzzle in an airplane experiencing turbulence. The shaking makes it hard to get the pieces to slot together.