My girlfriends car is stuck in her parking spot thanks to a large pile of snow and ice left behind by the snow plows. As usual she has waited until the last minute and is now asking for my help. The snow is more like ice now and is hard as a rock. My neighbors have broken 2 shovels trying to dig their cars out and I can see why. I was thinking about the effect that salt has on snow and ice and started wondering what would happen if I dissolved salt into extreamly hot water. I'm not stupid enough to pour just hot water on the snow because I know that will just freeze and make things even worse. Will extreamly hot salt water, with a high concentration of salt, speed up the reaction that snow has with salt or will I simply end up with a mountain of solid ice? I'm not terribly concerned about the long-term, I just want to get her car out more efficiently than breaking a couple shovels. I will park it in one of the clear spots once it is out. Thanks!
2007-02-15 07:43:51 · 3 answers · asked by Jon M 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Hot water will melt the snow quickly, but the cold will cool it and overcome it quickly, resulting in solid ice. The salt will definitely help by lowering the freezing point of the snow and ice, so if you have enough salt the freezing point will be lowered below the air temp and you'll be ok. But you made need lots of it to keep the cold from overwhelming the melted snow and water. Keep pouring it on until you can break free.
2007-02-15 08:28:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The amount of energy you're talking about is IMMENSE. I've not done the calculation, but without a doubt the energy required to melt the ice of the ice storm dwarfs the energy of a hydrogen bomb. So on your front yard is a big block of ice; learn to adapt to it, and make the proverbial lemonade. Alternatively, you might try to use some solar energy -- let the sun warm a black "metal foil" that you place on the ice block. Black to absorb the sun's rays best, "metal" so that the heat tranfer to the ice is good; and foil so that the metal can be molded to best make contact with the ice.
2016-05-24 04:18:47 · answer #2 · answered by Barbara 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldnt use hot water on it that will only make it worse. The DeIce that comes in bags will work eventually. But it will take a while. Pour it on real thick you will probably need a few bags and it will take a day or two.
2007-02-15 07:54:09 · answer #3 · answered by shorty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋