When salt is spread over ice or snow, it starts melting. This property is used in countries where snowfall blocks the road and sideways. After snowfall, salt is spread over the snow or ice to melt it and clear the roads.
The freezing point of ice is 0 degree Celsius (32 degree Fahrenheit). Salt is chemically known as Sodium Chloride (NaCl). It basically acts as an impurity when spread over ice which lowers its freezing point. Thus the ice starts melting even at 0 degree Celsius. This is known as 'Freezing point depression'. Freezing point depression is a colligative property of water. It means that it depends on the number of particles in a substance. In this case, the more number of particles of salt is added, the more the freezing point of ice will lower.
There are many other things that can melt ice like calcium chloride. But sodium chloride is generally used as it is easily found and is much cheaper. Sodium Chloride (common salt) gives two ions Na+ and Cl-. The more number of ions per molecule a compound can produce the more it can lower the freezing point of ice. For example, calcium chloride can produce three ions i.e., 1 calcium ion and two chloride ions. Thus it has the capability to decrease the freezing point of ice more than common salt.
The freezing point of ice is 0 degree Celsius (32 degree Fahrenheit). Salt is chemically known as Sodium Chloride (NaCl). It basically acts as an impurity when spread over ice which lowers its freezing point. Thus the ice starts melting even at 0 degree Celsius. This is known as 'Freezing point depression'. Freezing point depression is a colligative property of water. It means that it depends on the number of particles in a substance. In this case, the more number of particles of salt is added, the more the freezing point of ice will lower.
There are many other things that can melt ice like calcium chloride. But sodium chloride is generally used as it is easily found and is much cheaper. Sodium Chloride (common salt) gives two ions Na+ and Cl-. The more number of ions per molecule a compound can produce the more it can lower the freezing point of ice. For example, calcium chloride can produce three ions i.e., 1 calcium ion and two chloride ions. Thus it has the capability to decrease the freezing point of ice more than common salt.
2 comments:
Salt is very effective in melting ice quickly.
salt makes ice melt quickly
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