Question:

Addition of salt to ice will:

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This principle is why salt is used on icy roads in winter and why it is added to the ice-salt mixture in traditional hand-cranked ice cream makers to reach temperatures below $0^\circ C$.
Updated On: Jul 4, 2026
  • Slow the melting point of ice
  • Increase the melting point of ice
  • Will not affect the melting rate of ice
  • Effects the structure of ice
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Concept: The addition of a non-volatile solute to a solvent results in the depression of the freezing point.

• This is known as a colligative property.

• Freezing point depression: $\Delta T_f = i \cdot K_f \cdot m$.

• Lowering the freezing point means the ice stays in a solid state at temperatures where it would normally melt.

Step 1: Understanding the interaction.
When salt is added to ice, it dissolves in the thin layer of liquid water on the surface. This creates a brine solution that has a lower freezing point than pure water.

Step 2: Effect on Melting.
The equilibrium between the solid and liquid phases is shifted. The ice must reach a much lower temperature to stay frozen. In the context of food storage, this allows for a "colder" environment that slows down the overall melting process.

Step 3: Conclusion.
By lowering the melting point temperature, the salt effectively slows the melting of the ice. Final Answer: (A)
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