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RockinRobin-69 t1_j6v2sjw wrote

Reply to comment by FVjake in What are the effects of adding rock salt to a cooler full of ice? by Ok_Kareem_7223

In this case the colder ice water and the 32/0 degree ice water have the same amount of heat present.

They started in a cooler and the addition of salt made the change in temp happen relatively quickly. It’s colder as the melting ice takes heat energy from the water, cooling the water.

The cooler will have cold on one side and ambient on the other. The colder it is inside the more heat transfer through the walls.

I’m guessing that this is their perception only. It would be an interesting test.

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wanted_to_upvote t1_j6vubki wrote

That is not what is happening at all. They both have same amount of ice. One has salt that improves the transfer of heat from the environment to the ice.

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RockinRobin-69 t1_j6wl776 wrote

Salt lowers the freezing point of water. This causes some of the ice to melt. The melting requires heat energy and this makes the solution drop in temperature.

Take two bowls and put an ice cube in each. Add salt to one. Watch.

Edit cure to cube

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wanted_to_upvote t1_j6ximvl wrote

True, and now the entire surface area of the water is cooling the environment faster at a lower temperature.

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