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Would Salt, Sugar, Or Sand Work Better?

Decent Essays

Research problem
I. As were were driving on icy roads last winter I wondered if salt was really the best way to melt ice. Would sugar, or sand work better?

Research question
II. What is the most effective way to melt ice? Would salt, sugar or sand work better?

Background research
III. Ice begins to melt when its temperature exceeds 0 degrees Celsius and hydrogen bonds between water molecules break. In the melting process, the water molecules actually absorb energy. That is why an ice cube melts more quickly on the outside and retains its coldness and solidity longer at the center. Melting is a cooling process.

There are many types of ice. Some are in outer space, others are in the sea, but the ice were talking about is common ice. Ice is a boomerang shape, 2 parts hydrogen and 1 part oxygen. …show more content…

When sugar dissolves on the ice it interferes with the water molecules. Sugar requires a lower water temperature to melt ice so it has to be colder out for sugar to work. “Sugar will melt ice, but not as effectively as salt because salt breaks down into sodium and chloride ions so when one molecule of salt dissolves into the ice, it will add two components to the solution which provide more interference in preventing the water molecules from freezing.”
Salt lowers the freezing point of ice and consequently, the melting point of water, the main component of snow and ice. The salt makes it harder for the water molecules to bond together in their rigid structure. In water, salt is a solute, and it will break into its element.
Sand melts ice if it’s heated by the sun. The texture of sand doesn’t melt ice, but because sand is warmer than ice the heat melts it. Sand heats up from the sun and acts as a warm blanket causing the ice to melt. Direct sunlight doesn’t melt ice as good because ice reflects the light instead of absorbing

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