2007-01-22 01:59:52 · 8 answers · asked by William 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Salt lowers the melting point of ice in what called "melting point depression".
here's a reference:
http://members.aol.com/profchm/fpdepres.html
2007-01-22 02:02:47 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Dave P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when an object comes in contact with snow, it melts it even a tiny bit. salt mixes with the (slightly) melted snow it falls on to create salt water, which, as the first answer pointed out, has a much lower freezing temperature. this in turn melts the snow surrounding it, and so on.
note: while it's true that salt is slightly hydrophillic (latin for "water loving"), this is not the main reason it melts the snow.
2007-01-22 02:32:43 · answer #2 · answered by pito16places 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The salt lowers the freezing the temperature of the snow/water it dissolves in.
2007-01-22 02:02:57 · answer #3 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lowers the freezing temperature to 18 degrees (F). - Therefore Ice and snow turn to water. [Salt is ineffective below 18 degrees].
2007-01-22 02:04:33 · answer #4 · answered by me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
table salt will soften ice. Any salt will soften ice. that's why you won't be able to detect the respond. Sodium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium carbonate..... some only artwork greater effective than others. and you in all probability have not dumped kilos of table salt on ice yet you in all probability have with rock salt.
2016-12-16 10:35:09 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It lowers the melting point.
2007-01-22 02:38:38 · answer #6 · answered by maidmaz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Salt is very hydrophilic - meaining it wants to draw moisture in. This when you put it on snow, it pulls the moisture and thus melts it away into a salty slush.
2007-01-22 02:03:40 · answer #7 · answered by DrMikeonCall 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
the simple answer is by raising salinity, (salt water can't freeze)
2007-01-22 02:04:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋