This experiment is perfect for the winter season! Make use of the snowy days by performing this simple experiment on why we put salt on icy roads during winter.
Objective:
To determine which substance or what condition will make the ice melt faster.Materials needed:
- three bowls with ice
- timer
- sand
- salt
- marker/label
What to do?
1. Fill the bowls with ice and label one bowl ICE, another bowl SAND and the last one is SALT.
2. Place the salt ON the ice in the bowl that is marked SALT.
3. Place the sand ON the ice in the bowl that is marked SAND.
4. Observe your three subjects every 10 minutes for 30 minutes or more.
What happened?
The ice that is covered with SALT begins to melt but the one covered with SAND did not melt.
Why?
Based on what we learned from our What Dissolves in Water experiment, we know that salt dissolves in water (easily). This means that the salt breaks into small particles that thoroughly mixes with the water. A mixture or solution (mixture of liquid and dissolved substance) of salt water has a lower freezing point compared to the standalone water. So when salt is sprinkled on the surface of “wet” ice, the salt dissolves in the water-like surface layer of the ice causing the ice to melt faster. The salt water usually does not refreeze and stays in liquid form.
Now you know why road workers sprinkle salt on the road or pavement on snowy days!
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