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Have you noticed road crews salting our streets this winter? They’re doing this to melt the ice-covered roads, making it easier and safer for drivers. Budding archaeologists wanting to excavate an object frozen inside of an ice cube should use salt just like these road crews. During this week’s Saturday Science, courtesy of Lemon Lime Adventures, find out if you can uncover the hidden treasure!
Materials
- A small object to be your piece of hidden treasure
- Ice cube tray or other freezer-safe container (should be large enough for your treasure)
- Water
- Salt
- Toothpicks and/or chopsticks
Process
- Place your object in one of the hollows of an ice cube tray.
- Fill the ice cube tray with water and freeze overnight.
- Take your ice cube out of the tray.
- Use salt, water, toothpicks and/or chopsticks to excavate your hidden treasure!
Summary
Did the salt and water make excavating your hidden treasure easier?
Your answer should be yes! When salt dissolves into water, it lowers the freezing point of ice. If you watch closely, you should see the ice around a grain of salt melt first before spreading out and melting the rest, revealing your treasure!
Want more Saturday Science? See all of our at-home activities on the blog or on Pinterest.
