Ice melting happens when heat energy from warmer air or surfaces transfers to water molecules within the ice. The molecules vibrate slightly as they gain kinetic energy and begin to break the hydrogen bonds that hold them together in their solid state. The ice continues to melt until it reaches its melting point, at 32degF (0degC). During the melting process, heat is continually absorbed without raising the temperature of the ice. The energy goes into breaking the molecular bonds and converting the ice to liquid water, a process known as latent heat of fusion.
The more surface area of the ice, the faster it will melt. As the ice melts, it exposes darker surfaces that absorb more heat and speed up the melting process. Melting ice can also change ocean temperatures and disrupt normal ocean currents, contributing to sea level rise.
When choosing a ice melt product, it is important to understand how the chemicals work and their environmental impact. For example, sodium chloride is a common de-icing compound that can damage concrete and pollute nearby waterways and plant life with salty runoff. Calcium chloride, another common product, is less harmful to plants and soil but still can leach into waterways if overused. Urea-based products are safer for the environment but are slower to work and may not perform as well in extreme cold.
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