Re: pinhole salt and water's freezing point

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From: Geoff Ruth (gruth@leadershiphigh.org)
Date: Wed Dec 18 2002 - 07:43:15 PST 

Message-Id: <a05010403ba264699776d@[192.168.1.12]>
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 07:43:15 -0800
From: Geoff Ruth <gruth@leadershiphigh.org>
Subject: Re: pinhole salt and water's freezing point

The salt particles get in between the H2O molecules and prevent them
from bonding with one another in an ice crystal. The more salt you
add to water, the more salt there is to prevent water molecules from
linking together, and the lower the freezing point of the mixture.

In other words, the sodium and chloride ions disrupt the hydrogen
bonding that occurs between the water molecules.

At least, that's my take on it

>Quick question...
>
>Does anyone have a good explanation (for a curious
>group of 8th graders...and their teacher) for why salt
>lowers the freezing point of water?
>
>Thanks in advance!
>Meghan
>
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