AnswersDriveAn ice cube does melt much faster in tap water than in salt water. But salt water is much denser than tap water, warm or cold, because of the salt in it. So when you put a freshwater ice cube into a glass of salt water, the cold water coming from the melting ice cube doesn't sink at all.
In this regard, why does ice melt fastest in water?
Usually, ice melts more quickly in water, assuming the air and water are the same temperature. The molecules in water are more tightly packed than the molecules in the air, allowing more contact with the ice and a greater rate of heat transfer.
Do ice cubes melt faster in tap water or in salt water?
Assuming equal temperature, ice melts faster in salt water because salt water has a lower freezing point than fresh water, so the ice cube will have to absorb less heat in order to melt in salt water than in fresh water.
Why Does salt cause ice to melt?
Salt Lowers the Freezing Point. In a nutshell, salt is a great ice melter because it causes “freezing point depression.” This means that salt helps in lowering the freezing point and, consequently, the melting point of water (the main component of snow and ice). It must be noted, however, that salt alone can't melt ice