Melting ice

[cointreau]

My daughter has been off school with severe ear problems and we have been getting her homework to do at home. However, we've had problems finding a site to explain these melting ice facts in children's terms and I wondered if anyone could help.

Melting Ice - explain what you think about these ideas

1) The ice takes up less space as it melts so it must get lighter
2) Ice floats on water so the ice must get heavier as it melts
3) The ice will stay the same weight when it melts

Adding salt will warm it up
If you add salt it will melt
Salty water is colder than plain water

Any help would be most appreciated.

[Teddio]

1. Water is denser than the ice. There is no change in mass.
2. Ice is less dense than water so floats.
3. yes.

The Principle of Conservation of Mass applies here.

Adding salt to ice does not warm it up, on the contrary, the salt/ice mixture is much colder (often called a "freezing mixture")

[cointreau]

Thank you very much, Teddio - it's a great help. C