Winter can be a treacherous season for driving, especially when there’s ice on the roads. But did you know that salt is often used to help melt the ice and make roads safer to travel on? In this fun and easy experiment, we’ll explore how salt can help melt ice and prevent dangerous slippery conditions on the roads. All you’ll need is some salt, ice, and a few simple household materials. Let’s get started!
Materials:
- Ice cube tray
- Water
- Salt
- Shallow dish or plate
- Spoon
Procedure:
- Fill the ice cube tray with water and place it in the freezer until the water is frozen solid.
- Once the water is frozen, remove the tray from the freezer and carefully pop the ice cubes out of the tray.
- Place one ice cube in the shallow dish or plate.
- Sprinkle a small amount of salt over the top of the ice cube.
- Observe what happens to the ice cube over the next few minutes.
- Repeat the experiment using different amounts of salt to see if there is any difference in the amount of melting that occurs.
Expected Results: As the salt is added to the ice, it will begin to melt. The salt lowers the freezing point of the water, causing it to melt even at below freezing temperatures. The more salt you add, the more the ice will melt. This is why salt is often used to help melt ice on roads and sidewalks. It can be used to help prevent slippery conditions and make it safer to walk or drive on icy surfaces.
As you can see, salt is very useful in the winter.
But salt has it’s down-sides.
While salt is an effective and inexpensive way to melt ice on roads, it can also have negative impacts on the environment. When salt is used on roads, it can wash into nearby waterways and soil, affecting the plants and animals that live there. Salt can also be harmful to pets and wildlife that lick it off their paws or fur. There are alternative methods for melting ice on roads that are more environmentally friendly, such as using beet juice or cheese brine. These alternatives can be more expensive, but they are safer for the environment and do not have the same negative impacts as salt.