How does sprinkling of salt help in clearing the snow covered roads in hilly areas? Explain the phenomenon involved in the process.
Addition of salt to snow reduces the freezing point of ice. The lowering of the freezing point helps in melting the ice. The freezing point of water is 0°C. Lowering of the freezing point causes the point to go below 0°C and the ice melts. Hence salt is a de-icing agent and can be used to melt ice covered roads in hilly areas.