When things are frozen, why is it they turn brittle?

Answer 1

When the temperature drops, the speed at which the particles in a liquid move about slows down and they are drawn together by inter-molecular forces. Soon bonds form between the particles' poles/ dipoles which holds them into a stiff lattice.
Therefore, the previous 'shuffling' molecules/atoms are drawn into a set regiment with a fixed, and often brittle, shape.
Depending on the shape of the lattice, fault lines, or 'cleavages' can be formed where the inter-molecular forces between certain layers of the material are weaker e.g. graphite in pencils and can be broken easily.

Answer 2

when an object is frozen the mositure within the object solidfies, consequently causing no moisture making the object brittle
furthermore, When you freeze a substance, it will generally solidify in two mechanisms. One: it could form a crystalline lattice between its molecules on its own. Secondly, the liquid or gas within the solid matrix might freeze first and provide the crystalline lattice template for the solid.

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Answer 3

Firstly, when you talk about freezing here, I assume you are talking about really subzero temperatures.

O.K. When you freeze a substance, it will generally solidify in two mechanisms. One: it could form a crystalline lattice between its molecules on its own. Secondly, the liquid or gas within the solid matrix might freeze first and provide the crystalline lattice template for the solid.

And as is known, crystalline solids are brittle. Therefore, since these frozen substances have assumed crystalline properties, they themselves are also brittle.

Answer 4

If you cool a material down below its glass transition temperature (usually known as its Tg), its molecules have very little mobility and the material becomes much more rigid and brittle and therefore prone to cracking when placed under stress.

Answer 5

I think it's because ice is less dense relative to water (i.e. water expands when frozen) and also ice is a crystal structure. Crystal structures are easily cut; I guess they lend their brittle properties to the frozen object.

Answer 6

Cos frozen water molecules don't bend u drip.

Answer 7

Well, because they're solid...solid things are brittle. You can't break liquids or gases....

Answer 8

freezing anything solidifies the moisture in the object, so, in effect, there is no moisture

Answer 9

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