Which substances will melt ice better? Why?

Question

I need to do a Science Project and I need help. I need a scientist!! Please help me!

Answer 1

Actually things that dissolve into the water cause the lower freezing point of water. If the ice melts a little bit, the solute (salt, sugar even dirt works) goes into solution or suspension and instead of freezing at 0 degrees C, the new solution now freezes at a colder temperature.

There are many factors that go into “faster”.

Ambient temperature is one. If it is –20 C, any amount of salt or sugar is not melting the ice. Sand is good still because it will imbed in the ice and give traction.

The amount of solute is another factor. A light sprinkling of salt would not be as good as a heavy sprinkling of sugar. As the solute is dissolved and more water is generated from melting ice, the concentration of the solute is reduced. Eventually the solution becomes so dilute that the melting point returns close to 0 C.

The solute does matter. The solubility in the solvent matters. You can dissolve a heck of a lot more salt into cold water that you can sugar. And the feezing pojnt depression is based on concentration as expressed in Molality (not molarity). Molality is Moles of solute / kg of solvent. So if you pick a substance that reaches saturation at a low molality (like sugar) will not depress freezing point that much. A nice ionic solid (like salt) that can reach very high molality (because a whole lot more more can dissolve) and it can depress freezing point more.

Of course if you really want to melt some ice try a high yield 100 megaton nuclear device, it might not melt ALL the ice at the south pole, but I guarantee the ice it does melt will melt very fast.

Answer 2

I'm not a scientist but rock salt is the fastest substance I know of, Calcium chloride is almost as fast but it's preferred because it won't damage concrete or asphalt. Ethylene glycol is used on aircraft, because it can be sprayed on and leaves a film to help prevent ice from forming again for time.

Answer 3

All you need is water. Run the ice under water and it will melt quickly. When I was in 4th grade, we had to melt an ice cube as a science experiment. Classmastes tried to crush it or suck on it, but I knew by running it under water it would melt very quicky. I knew this by watching my Mom defrost our freezer. She put chunks of ice into the sink and ran water over them. I was the first in my class to melt the ice cube, but my 4th grade teacher wouldn't acknowledge it--he gave me a look I remember to this day. I think he thought I was a smart-*** because I figured it out quickly and even out thought him. Good luck.

Answer 4

salt, alcohol, etc. They lower the freezing temperature of the water.

Answer 5

try sugar, salt, heat

Answer 6

lava.