Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Melting Snow






Our backyard went through a melting yesterday and today. Snow has been covering the ground for a long time. We have some snow on the ground since Jan 12th. Today marks the 40th day. The 2 photos show the process of snow melt. Snow is fun but it is encouraging to see it melt away.



Salt is used to melt snow. But this only works down to about 15 degrees F. If it gets colder than that salt won't work. Calcium Chloride melts ice and snow down to -20 degrees F. This is because when the calcium chloride is dissolved into water it emits 3 ions. Salt sodium chloride emits 2 ions when it is dissolved. The amount of ions in the water lower its freezing point.


The sun will melt snow as the snow absorbs energy from the sun it melts. Dirty snow being darker will absorb more energy than clean snow. So dirty snow melts faster.

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