Make it COLD!

Overview

Adding salt to ice changes the way the newly melted water freezes.

Chemicals

Materials

  • ~5 mL warm water

  • 3 scoops salt

  • ​Ice chips

  • Glass beaker

  • Test tube

  • Nuffield spatula

  • ​Test tube holder

Procedure

1. In glass beaker, fill half way with ice chips and add salt.

2. In test tube, fill half way with water and place inside of the beaker. Leave for 3 minutes.

3. Using test tube holders, remove the test tube and observe the ice particles and frost that have formed.

The Science Behind the Reaction

Salt works to lower the freezing point of water so the water can become colder than 32 degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius) before it turns to ice.

Keep Experimenting!

Try your hand at homemade ice cream with your newfound knowledge of how salt impacts ice.