Chillin' Out with Freezing Point Depression
The Science of Making Ice Cream

data | hook | main | background & resources | student

Hook
The oceans surrounding Antarctica are an extremely cold and inhospitable environment. If the water here were fresh water, it would freeze solid. Fish only survive in these frigid waters because of special glycoproteins in their blood which act as antifreeze. Because of the ocean's salinity, the freezing point of the salt water is depressed to -1.4 degrees Celsius. In this lab you will learn more about the freezing point depression of salt water. In fact, you will use the freezing point depression of saltwater to make a tasty frozen food. Just cool the "mystery solution" to below -14 deg C, and you can taste this yummy concoction.

Return to top of page

Back to: TEA Activities Page

data | hook | main | background & resources | student