Create Your Own Frost – Easy 2 Ingredient STEAM Activity!

It’s getting colder out but this experiment doesn’t need you to be in the cold to work! Let’s make our own instant ice! 

Question: What happens when you combine ice, salt and water?

Hypothesis: If ou add a pinch of salt to ice cubes and water, then… 

*Make sure to ask your #younginventor his/her hypothesis before moving onto the next step.

Materials: 

• • Glass Mason Jar
  • Ice
  • Salt
  • Food Coloring

Procedure: 

1. 1. In a small bowl, color some water blue and set it aside
   2. Fill your mason jar ¾ of the way full with crushed ice
   3. Add half an inch layer of salt
   4. Pour the blue water over the salt
   5. Frost will start to form within a few seconds!  Parents: If your #younginventor is really impatient add a lid to the jar and give it a quick shake to speed things along!
   6. After about 3-5 minutes you should see a layer of ice crystals on the surface of the jar

Let’s make some conclusions! Ask your child: 

1. 1. Is this what you expected to happen?
   2. Did you think it’d happen so quickly?
   3. Would this happen without the salt? 
   4. Would frost form more quickly if you add more salt?
   5. Would it turn to frost more quickly if you add more ice?

How does this ice form? Air contains water particles known as water vapor, and cold water can’t hold as much moisture as warm air so when air cools, water vapors cling to the surfaces and create condensation. When the solid surface is below freezing this condensation becomes frost! Frost forms when the air temperature is slightly above freezing while the surface of the solid is below freezing. A jar of ice water will cause the glass to be right around freezing but the condensation will not become frost without salt. The salt lowers the melting point of ice which actually makes the mason jar fall below freezing temperatures. At this point the condensation will become frost!

Did you know we have a club designed for children ages 4-12 so they can learn the importance of inventions from an early age? As a member of the club, you and your children will learn all about inventions while completing fun, easy STEAM activities. We hope to spark the creativity of every #younginventor!