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Year 6 - Science

The effect of adding salt to ice: do and review (non-statutory)

Materials (non-statutory)

Unit Summary

This unit covers separating materials using techniques such as filtering and evaporation. It focuses on planning scientific enquiries, recognising and controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, recording complex data, and presenting findings with conclusions, and explanations.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to carry out and review an investigation into the effect of adding salt to ice.

Key Notes

  • Rock salt is often used to melt the ice on roads and pavements.
  • Adding salt to ice (frozen water) lowers the melting temperature and speeds up the rate of melting.
  • Scientists use a range of equipment to observe, measure and compare when they investigate to find answers to questions.
  • The results of an investigation are used to make conclusions.
  • When scientists review an investigation, they look again at what they have done and consider if it could be improved.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • rock salt: Rock salt is the name given to salt before it is processed.
  • melt: To melt is to change from a solid state to a liquid state.
  • equipment: Equipment is any object or materials used to collect data in a science investigation.
  • conclusion: In a conclusion, scientists explain what the results show or mean.
  • review: When scientists review, they look again at what they have done and consider if it could be improved.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may think that all types of salt cause ice to melt at the same rate.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

Rock salt is often used to melt the ice on roads and pavements. Adding salt to ice (frozen water) lowers the melting temperature and speeds up the rate of melting.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'rock salt'

Rock salt is the name given to salt before it is processed. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may think that all types of salt cause ice to melt at the same rate. Correction: Opportunity to explore different types of salt and observe firsthand the effect that each type of salt has on the ice. Pupils should use the plans they created in lesson 2 to investigate this themselves.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 6 Science guide library.