Eli5- Why does salt make ice colder?
In: 1
Adding salt lowers the melting temperature of ice. If the ice is above something called a eutectic temperature (the lowest temperature at which a solution can be liquid), some of the ice will melt. Melting absorbs energy, so this process will cause temperature to drop. While pure water freezes at 0°C/32°F, salt water (with just sodium chloride) can be be liquid as low as -21°C/-6°F.
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