The exasperating effect

Jacob came to the agency. 

“I want to hire you.”

He showed a poster:

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Water Boiler Specialist. The ideal candidate will have a passion for heating water to precise temperatures, ensuring that it reaches a perfect boil for a variety of purposes such as tea, coffee, cooking, and general hydration needs. This is a part-time position with flexible hours, ideal for those who enjoy the art and science of boiling water.

Salary: £5/hour.

“Lots of our classmates have been applying for this job. And then Ernie got it! He has been doing the job terribly. What I want to know is how he got it!”

Jacob explained the application process.

All the applicants were given a bowl of water and some rudimentary kitchen equipment and told to boil the water as quickly as they could, at the same time as 5 other people.

Ernie was sitting next to the freezer, which had broken down and it’s door was constantly open.

And yet, he was the person who always got his water boiled first.

“Oh, I know this.” said Jack.

WHAT?
Water boils faster if it’s colder. This is called the Mpemba Effect.