why does tap water freeze faster then salt water?

Answer 1

Alot of people are really close on this one. It is because solutes in the water lowers the freezing point but no one answers why. Ice is a solid that has a very organized crystalline structure, the salt breaks up the hydrogen bonding between water molecules and increases the activation energy required to crystallize.

Answer 2

When salt is dissolved in water, it interacts with the water molecules so they are 'busy' and not as available to order themselves into a crystal. Up to a point, the more salt you add the more the freezing point will be depressed, so the dilute or salt-free water will always freeze first as you lower the temperature.

Answer 3

It does so because of what is known as "freezing point depression". Dissolved solutes can alter the rate at which the ice lattice will form in the case of water. Hydrated salt ions (sodium, potassium, etc.) alter the ability of water molecules to become ordered as the temperature of the solution drops changing the free energy of freezing.

Answer 4

Tap water has less volatile salt solutes compared to sea water and these non volatile solutes decrease the freezing point by lowering the Vapour Pressure of the stuff in liquid state.

Answer 5

faucet water freezes faster. The reasoning is that water with salt in it really is more beneficial dense and takes a a lot decrease temperature for it to freeze. because of this lakes and different clean watered bodies of water will freeze earlier the sea does.

Answer 6

The salt (NaCl) in the water changes the chemical make up causing it to have a lower freezing point and a higher boiling point.

Answer 7

The freezing point of water is lowered proportionally to the amount of solute dissolved in it. Tap water is closer to pure water in terms of solute concentration.

Answer 8

it has something to do with salt and the formation of crystals. and because salt water freezes at a lower temp we have Fahrenheit. 0 is when salt water freezes and 0 Celsius is when regular water freezes kinda kooky

Answer 9

I guess because salt is used as a melting agent, therefore it takes water with salt in it a longer time, as the SALT most likely falls to the bottom during the cold.

I really dont know, seems logical to me though.

Answer 10

tap water is always filtered or distilled; the salt in salt water keeps it from freezing. i think it makes it more dense or something. You know how some people put salt on their driveways when it snows to melt the ice? something to do with that.