The effect of adding salt to ice: plan (non-statutory)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan an investigation into the effect of adding salt to ice.
Key learning points
- Rock salt is often stored in a public grit bin and used to melt ice on roads and pavements.
- After being extracted, rock salt usually undergoes processing and crushing before it is transported to grit bins.
- Scientists plan investigations to make comparisons and answer questions.
- Variables can be changed, measured or kept the same in a comparative test.
Keywords
Rock salt - Rock salt is the name given to salt before it is processed.
Grit - Rock salt is a brown colour and looks like gravel, so it is often referred to as grit.
Melt - To melt is to change from a solid state to a liquid state.
Comparative test - In a comparative test, the thing that is being changed has labels, such as the types of materials.
Variable - Variables are the things that can be changed, measured or kept the same in a comparative test.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that there is only one type of salt.
Explanation that rock salt is one type of salt.
Teacher tip
Many local councils have maps online that show the location of their grit bins.
Equipment
Rock salt, baking tray, access to a freezer and water - for planning purposes only. Pupils will carry out the investigation in the follow-up lesson 3 of this unit.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What kind of salt do people usually put on their food?
Q2.What can table salt be used for?
Q3.What is rock salt?
Q4.What are the main ways in which can table salt be obtained?
Q5.Which pieces of equipment would be useful to observe different types of salt?
Q6.What is a variable?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where is rock salt often stored so it can be used on our roads and pavements?
Q2.What can rock salt be used for?
Q3.After being mined, but before it can be transported to grit bins, rock salt has to be ...
Q4.Why do scientists plan investigations?
Q5.Which of these statements is true?
Q6.Which variable is changed in an investigation to find out which type of salt melts ice the fastest?
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: The effect of adding salt to ice: plan (non-statutory), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: The effect of adding salt to ice: plan (non-statutory), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Materials (non-statutory) unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.