Jessica Blindt

Ice On A String

Science Concept: Table salt (NaCl) lowers the melting point of water.

Materials:

1 large ice cube
1 piece of thin string
table salt (NaCl)
plate or dish
small cup of water

Directions:

Place the ice cube on the plate. Tilt the cup and dip the end of the string into it, making sure at least an inch of the string is wet.
Lay it on top of the ice cube and sprinkle salt over the string. Make sure to cover the all of the string that is touching the ice cube.
Wait 10-20 seconds. Pick up the string and the ice cube should lift up with it.

Introduction:

Have you ever wanted to put ice in your drink but didn't want to get your fingers wet and cold? Well, I know how to do it. I can pick up this ice cube without getting my hands cold or wet. Just watch.

Explanation:

Salt has the ability to make the melting point of water or ice lower than it usually is. When salt is poured on the ice, it causes the melting point of the ice to lower slightly. This allows the string on top of it to sink into the ice cube slightly. And shortly after this, the water re-freezes itself around the string, almost as if the string were a part of the ice cube all along. The ice cube then lifts up easily. We use this in winter. Salt is sprinkled on the sidewalk in order to keep the ice from forming. The salt lowers the melting point of the ice and it doesn't ice up the streets.

Safety Precautions: Make sure to sprinkle enough salt over the string and to wait for a few seconds or else it won't work.

Waste Disposal: Dump ice cube in a sink so it will melt into water and can then be washed away.

Reference: Public domain