Some scientists may like salt as a seasoning in their food. But a lot of them like it for the interesting things it does.

For example, salt affects how water freezes. Do this experiment to discover whether it makes freezing easier or more difficult

What to Do

Fill two identical containers halfway with warm water. One-pound coffee cans or plastic food containers work well. (Never use glass containers because they may break.)

To one of the containers, slowly add table salt while stirring. The salt will seem to disappear as it dissolves. Keep adding salt until no more dissolves. You may have to use as much as one-third cup of salt. Label the containers so you know which one has salt and which doesn’t.

Put both containers into the freezer and check them every two or three hours. What did you notice?

How It Works

Did you find that, after a while, one batch of water became ice and the other didn’t? Yet, the containers are the same. They both have the same amount of water. Both were kept at the same temperature for the same length of time. So any difference between the containers must be caused by the salt.

The salt added to the water interrupts the freezing process. Pure water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). The more salt in the water, the colder the outside temperature needs to be to turn the water into ice. That’s why salt is often spread on roads during the winter—to stop the melting snow from turning into ice. It’s also why the salty oceans rarely freeze.

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1. The word “seasoning” in the sentence” Some scientists may like salt as a seasoning in their food.” means___________.

A. one of the seasons like spring, summer, autumn or winter

B. inventions that scientists create

C. is the process of adding salt, herbs, or spices to food to enhance the flavor.

2. Which of the following is Not True?

A. The salt added to the water interrupts the freezing process.

B. The less salt in the water, the colder the outside temperature needs to be to turn the water into ice.

C. The salty oceans rarely freeze.