General science questions

Why does salting streets in the winter melt the ice?

Example answers:

• When salt comes in contact with water, it produces heat which melts the ice.
• The salt reacts vigorously with the ice. Breaks down the bonds of the water, thus melting the ice.
• Because the sodium counteracts with the H₂O mixture and causes a chemical reaction we call melting.
• Some mineral or compund of salt NaCl causes the ice to melt.

(Some responses had multiple answers)

Example answers:

• Trees need photogenesis (light) which arrives from the Sun to convert its nutrients into energy. Its nutrients come from minerals in the soil that traced into it via it's roots. Squirrels need vegetation to live, primarily seeds and nuts. They also need the Sun for warmth and energy.
• Trees need nourishment and warmth and oxygen and water to live. Squirrels need the same things - nourishment, oxygen, water and warmth.
• Trees need sunlight to photosynthesize to produce chlorophyll to survive. Squirrels need food and oxygen.
• [Trees need] soil, sun, water to make carbon dioxide the result of which is oxygen. Squirrels need food and water, some type of shelter.
• Trees need sunlight and water to live. [They] don't need food because they can generate and produce their own food because of photosynthesis. Also, trees need carbon dioxide from humans. Squirrels need sunlight, food, and water and oxygen. [They] need food because [they] can`t produce their own food. [They] need oxygen because [they] can't produce oxygen, [they] have to get it from trees. Trees can't produce carbon dioxide, [they] have to get it from humans.

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Update: 10 Feb 1998