The Royal Society of Chemistry is offering £1,000 for anyone who can help explain the age-old puzzle of why hot water freezes faster than cold water.

Science greats throughout the years have tried to explain the curious phenomenon, but as yet to no avail. Aristotle himself even antagonised over it in the fourth century BC, and Descartes was also defeated by it in the 17th century AD.

Now, finally fed up with the lack of explanations, the Royal Society of Chemistry is offering a cash reward for any budding chemist that feels they might be able to explain the problem. Judges of the competition will be looking for an outside-the-box submission, and will also be judging the format of the submissions.

Any medium or technology can be employed to make the case, including articles, illustrations or even film. Additionally, submissions can be based on, and reference, existing research.

Royal Society of Chemistry president professor David Phillips said: “Modern scientists are still perplexed at this seemingly simple question.

“Ice cream makers and bartenders alike use the fact that hot water freezes more quickly than cold water every day in their work, but no one really knows why it works. The problem has been around for millennia, with philosophers such as Aristotle and Descartes pondering over it.”