Why do we put salt on the roads in the winter time?

Answer 1

If you live in a place that has lots of snow and ice in the winter, then you have probably seen the highway department spreading salt on the road to melt the ice. Salt lowers the freezing/melting point of water, so the idea is to take advantage of the lower melting point.

Answer 2

Salt, being a crystal, helps icy roads not be so slippery for oncoming cars. It helps the tires grab the road instead of sliding.

Further, when you mix salt with the water on the road, it's harder for the road to freeze again.

A lot of people don't like salt on the roads. When the cars drive through salt, the salt is thrown into the air and pings their paint job.

TX Mom

Answer 3

When a solid, such as salt, dissolves, it is an exothermic reaction (it releases heat). Ice, no matter how cold, has a thin film of liquid water on the surface. The salt dissolves in this film, and the heat produced is enough to melt another thin layer of ice, and this goes on, slowly melting through. Also, because salt water has a far lower freezing point then freshwater (such as the water that makes up the ice), it prevents the water from refreezing.

Answer 4

they use the salt to melt the ice that way the roads will not be slippery. The sale will not melt the ice if temps are around 20 degrees, so the temp has to be somewhat warmer to work, many states have quit using the salt as it causes many rust spots on cars, they will use a cinder and salt mixture.

Answer 5

Either to melt snow & ice or to make them taste better.

Answer 6

By then we are out of pepper.