chemistry question #4079

Monse, a 13 year old female from Las Vegas asks on January 13, 2008,

Q:

What type of salt melts ice the quickest?
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the answer

Barry Shell answered on January 24, 2008, A:

They pretty much all melt ice the same. It makes no difference. It can even be sugar or alcohol. Anything mixed with the ice/water will make it melt. The only thing that changes the rate is temperature. See my answer why in Question #4060 on science.ca.

Here's another really good explanation by Fred Senese that includes an interactive animated illustration.

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