The effect of adding salt to ice: do and review (non-statutory)
I can carry out and review an investigation into the effect of adding salt to ice.
The effect of adding salt to ice: do and review (non-statutory)
I can carry out and review an investigation into the effect of adding salt to ice.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Rock salt is often used to melt the ice on roads and pavements.
- Adding salt to ice (frozen water) lowers the melting temperature and speeds up the rate of melting.
- Scientists use a range of equipment to observe, measure and compare when they investigate to find answers to questions.
- The results of an investigation are used to make conclusions.
- When scientists review an investigation, they look again at what they have done and consider if it could be improved.
Keywords
Rock salt - Rock salt is the name given to salt before it is processed.
Melt - To melt is to change from a solid state to a liquid state.
Equipment - Equipment is any object or materials used to collect data in a science investigation.
Conclusion - In a conclusion, scientists explain what the results show or mean.
Review - When scientists review, they look again at what they have done and consider if it could be improved.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that all types of salt cause ice to melt at the same rate.
Opportunity to explore different types of salt and observe firsthand the effect that each type of salt has on the ice. Pupils should use the plans they created in lesson 2 to investigate this themselves.
Equipment
Pupils will follow the plan they created in the previous lesson so will need resources such as rock salt, table salt, ice cubes, funnels, measuring beakers/cylinders, stopwatches, cameras or similar.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
