Ice melts faster primarily when it absorbs heat or when the freezing point of water is lowered around it. Key factors include:
- Adding substances like salt lowers the freezing point of water, causing ice to melt faster because it no longer remains solid at 0°C (32°F). This is why salt is often used on icy roads.
- Applying heat directly, for example with hot water or warm air, makes ice melt faster by supplying the energy needed to break the ice structure.
- Stirring or moving the ice increases melting as it brings warmer liquid into contact with the ice surface.
- Other substances like sugar or baking soda have a lesser effect as they do not lower freezing point as much as salt.
So, ice melts faster with heat and with substances that lower the freezing point such as salt.
