What is the process called when water changes into ice?

The process when water changes into ice is known as freezing. This occurs when water molecules lose energy and begin to form solid structures as temperatures drop to 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) or below. During freezing, the kinetic energy of the water molecules decreases, allowing them to bond together in a crystalline structure, thus transforming liquid water into solid ice.

While solidification refers broadly to the transition from a liquid to a solid state, freezing specifically describes the phase change of water to ice, making it the most precise term for this process. Understanding the distinction between these terms is important for clarity in scientific contexts, especially in studies related to physical states of matter.