2007-01-11 05:25:36 · 10 answers · asked by AARON B 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Salt melts snow because it changes the freezing point of water. Under normal circumstances, water will freeze at 32F, or 0C. By adding salt (and depending what kind of salt you add), you lower that freezing point.
Say it is 15F outside, and you have ice. (Freezes at 32F). Now you add salt, suddenly that 'frozen water' has a freezing point of 10F. The outside temperature is now greater than the freezing point, and as a result that ice will melt and go back to its liquid phase (water).
2007-01-11 05:32:26 · answer #1 · answered by country_girl_in_a_city 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because salt dissolves in water. Water with salt dissolved in it freezes at a lower temperature than pure water freezes. When a grain of salt touches snow (or ice), it immediately starts melting the snow. The snow melts and turns into salt water.
2007-01-11 13:32:07 · answer #2 · answered by talkingformydog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Freezing point for Salt is lower than water that's consisted in the SNOW. by physic. The snow release the heat to the salt, since the salt has lower freezing point. that was the snow temperature raise and become water,.
2007-01-11 13:35:16 · answer #3 · answered by B-D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When salt mixes with snow, it creates a mixture whose melting point is lower than that of the original substance. Since when you mix them the temperature of the snow doesn't change much and the melting point is now lower, the snow turns into a liquid solution of saltwater.
2007-01-11 13:32:12 · answer #4 · answered by Picalo911 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Salt water freezes at a much lower temperature than fresh water. So if you add salt above about -20°C, ice or snow will melt. If it gets really cold, it won't work.
2007-01-11 13:31:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
EUTECTIC TEMPERATURE; THE LOWEST MELTING TEMP WITH A CHEMICAL ADDITIVE.
COMMON TABLE SALT ADDED TO WATER CAN BRING ITS FREEZING POINT DOWN TO -6 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. WHEN SALT IS SPREAD ON A SIDEWALK THE ICE IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH MELTS BECAUSE THE SALT BRINGS THE MELTING TEMP DOWN BELOW THE ACTUAL OUTSIDE THERE-BY MELTING THE ICE.
TRY TAKING A BOTTLE OF WATER FILLED WITH 25% SALT AND 50% WATER, PUT IT IN THE FREEZER AND SEE IF IT FREEZES.
JUST IN CASE MY SALT-TO-WATER RATIO IS INCORRECT, BUT IT IN A ZIPLOC BAG.
2007-01-11 13:36:44 · answer #6 · answered by JUST ANOTHER JOE 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I tell you , will you tell me why salt that they use on snow rusts my car.
2007-01-12 07:37:41 · answer #7 · answered by fire462 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cos the Councils have a contract with God
2007-01-12 09:47:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
as above
2007-01-12 04:52:05 · answer #9 · answered by dream theatre 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you just watched simpsons?!?!?!?
2007-01-11 13:33:44 · answer #10 · answered by Charlotte 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋