How fast can ice melt?
Energy and Change
Isabela Ibarra Peña
- Grade:
- 7
- Teacher:
- Lidia Velez
My science project is about ice and how fast it can melt when you add salt to it vs. without adding salt. I chose this project because I found it really interesting how in places like Antarctica, there are big icebergs that float on the water and don't melt as easily as regular ice even when exposed directly to the sun. My project is important because ice has a plenty of uses in our daily lives.
This is an excellent and meaningful experiment! You chose a simple but powerful question: Does salt make ice melt faster? That question connects chemistry, physics, and even environmental science — which shows impressive scientific thinking for a seventh grader.
Your experiment clearly demonstrated an important scientific principle called freezing point depression. When salt is added to ice, it lowers the freezing point of water. This means the ice melts faster because the salt interferes with the water molecules’ ability to stay in a solid (frozen) state. That’s why salt is commonly used on icy roads during winter.
I was especially impressed by how you connected your results to real-world importance. Explaining how ice matters beyond just a science experiment — such as its role in places like Antarctica — shows deeper understanding. Antarctica is covered by massive ice sheets that help regulate Earth’s temperature and sea levels. If large amounts of ice melt due to rising temperatures, it can cause sea levels to rise and affect millions of people around the world.
This project seems amazing.This project really shows and connects to the real world nowadays.I am stunned that a seventh grade mind is able to think through like this it is amazing.I really like your project and I am amazed it really catches my attention for the most part since we are living through this.The molecules have a big role in this and ice has a drastic change.Great job on your project you did amazing and I hope this inspires others to look more into the world like me.