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Pure water, H2O, freezes (and melts) at 0°C (32°F). But the more "salt" (any elements or compounds carried by the water in solution, such as Na (sodium), Ca (calcium), Cl (chloride), and SO4 (sulfate)) in water, the lower its freezing point. For example, seawater, which has approximately 3500 parts per million "salt" (including Na, Ca, Cl, SO4, Mg, K, and CO3), will freeze (and melt) at -2.2°C. A water with extreme salinity such as very salty lake waters at Death Valley, California (approximately 300,000 parts per million "salt") may freeze and melt at temperatures as low as -20 - -30°C! Because salt lowers the freezing point depression, it is added to icy roads in order to melt the ice.

The reason why salt lowers the freezing temperature of water is a bit more difficult to explain without discussing more complex chemistry. Basically, pure water, H2O, is a different substance than salt water, such as NaCl-H2O. As different substances, they have different chemical properties. Salt "gets in the way" of the interactions between H and O, making it harder for the H and O to bond as ice.

2007-01-08 11:22:15 · answer #1 · answered by Haus 4 · 1 0

Any foreign places substance extra to the water will reason a freezing element drop. for each mole of foreign places debris dissolved in a kilogram of water, the freezing element is going down with the aid of extra or less a million.8°C. Sugar, alcohol, or any chemical salt will additionally decrease the freezing element and soften ice. :o)

2016-10-30 09:22:52 · answer #2 · answered by gennusa 4 · 0 0

Mercury.

First of all, Ice is already frozen, so were lowering the freezing point of water. Mercury used to be put in thermometers so the water in the gauge wouldn't freeze when it was extremely cold. This was discontinued, of course, then mercury was found to be poisonous.

2007-01-08 11:20:27 · answer #3 · answered by ♥Princess♥ 4 · 0 1

Sand, Water

2007-01-08 11:20:22 · answer #4 · answered by fun fun fun .... you know the rest 5 · 0 1

Ethyl glycol, or anti-freeze.

In fact, almost anything that will go into solution.

2007-01-08 11:21:06 · answer #5 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 1 0

polar bears urine

2007-01-08 11:21:36 · answer #6 · answered by dont know much 5 · 0 0

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