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Mk
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Of course I mean my table salt, specificly, but how does salt melt ice?
Since salt lowers the freezing/melting point of water, the outside of the cup is below freezing - thus, frost.Mk said:And why does when you put a cup of ice with salt, frost forms on the outside of the cup from condensated water? And a cup without salt doesn't?
Salt lowers the freezing point of water, causing the ice to melt. When salt is added to ice, it dissolves in the thin layer of liquid water on the surface of the ice. This lowers the freezing point of the water, allowing it to remain in a liquid state even at temperatures below 0°C.
Salt is commonly used to melt ice because it is inexpensive, readily available, and effective. It also has a lower environmental impact compared to other chemical de-icers, such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride.
The amount of salt needed to melt ice depends on various factors, including the temperature, type of salt, and thickness of the ice. As a general rule, 1 pound of salt can melt about 46 pounds of ice at 20°F.
Salt can be used to prevent ice from forming if applied before freezing temperatures occur. It creates a brine solution that lowers the freezing point of water, making it more difficult for ice to form. However, once ice has already formed, salt will have a limited effect on melting it.
While salt can effectively melt ice, it also has some potential negative effects. It can damage plants and vegetation, corrode metal surfaces, and pollute water sources. It is important to use salt in moderation and properly dispose of excess salt to minimize these negative impacts.