❓ why

Why can salt melt ice on roads?

Quick Answer

Salt lowers the freezing point of water, so ice can melt at temperatures below 0°C. The brine solution is harder to freeze than pure water.

The Full Story

When salt dissolves in water, it forms ions that interfere with the orderly formation of an ice crystal lattice. This lowers the freezing point, a phenomenon called freezing-point depression. As a result, road salt can help melt ice and prevent refreezing when temperatures are only moderately below 0°C. It works best with sodium chloride, though different salts are used in colder conditions because ordinary salt becomes less effective as the temperature drops.

Key Facts

1.Pure water freezes at 0°C
2.Salt lowers the freezing point
3.Sodium chloride is common road salt

YouTube Angle

Suggested video title for this topic:

"Why salt can turn a frozen road into slush."

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