10th Science Project

The Effects of Salt and Sugar on
Water
This science fair project was done to find out how the freezing point
of water is affected by the presence of sugar or salt. The experiment
was conducted using salt, sugar and water.
Hypothesis
The freezing point of water will be lowered when sugar or salt is added.
Overview
Molar mass
The mass of 1 mole of an element (Molar mass) refers to 6.0221415 x 1023 atoms or molecules
of the element. Although the SI unit of mass is in kilograms, molar mass is almost always
mentioned in grams per mole. Salt has a molar mass of 5.8g per mol, while sugar has 34g per
mol.
Freezing Point Depression
The term "freezing point depression" refers to a condition where the freezing point of a liquid is
lowered by the presence of an additive. This is observed in all solutions, and the freezing point is
determined by the amount of solute particles dissolved in the solvent.
At the freezing point of that particular solution, the chemical potential of the solution at liquid
state and solid state will be equal. Solute particles are able to dissolve only in a liquid solvent.
Conversely, when the solvent is in a solid state, solute particles cannot be dissolved. Following
the same logic, adding a solute to the solvent will reduce the chemical potential of the solution
and consequently, also its freezing point.
Scientific Terms
Molar mass, mol, freezing point depression
Materials
The materials required for this science fair project:
- 1 packet of sugar
- 1 packet of salt
- 800ml of distilled water
- 8 test tubes
- 8 beakers
- 1 basin
- Tap water
- 1 freezer
- Ice cube trays
- 8 thermometers
- 1 digital weighing scale
- 1 black marker
Procedure
1. For this science fair project, the independent variable is the amount of salt and sugar added
to the solution. The dependent variable is the freezing point of the solution, and will be measured
with a thermometer. The constants (control variables) are the temperature of the environment
(which will remain at room temperature), the amount of solution in each test tube and the
temperature of the ice in the basin.
2. Mix 200g of salt into in 1 liter of water and pour the solution into ice cube trays. Place the
trays in a freezer, and leave overnight. The ice will be used to form an ice bath in the basin.
3. On the 2nd day, label the 8 beakers and test tubes as Salt 0.5M, Salt 1.0M, Salt 1.5M, Salt
2.0M, Sugar 0.5M, Sugar 1.0M, Sugar 1.5M and Sugar 2.0M.
4. Prepare 8 varieties of solution in each beaker as described below:
a. Salt 0.5M – Mix 100ml of water with 2.9g of salt

b. Salt 1.0M – Mix 100ml of water with 5.8g of salt
c. Salt 1.5M – Mix 100ml of water with 8.7g of salt
d. Salt 2.0M – Mix 100ml of water with 11.6g of salt
e. Sugar 0.5M – Mix 100ml of water with 17g of salt
f. Sugar 1.0M – Mix 100ml of water with 34g of salt
g. Sugar 1.5M – Mix 100ml of water with 51g of salt
h. Sugar 2.0M – Mix 100ml of water with 68g of salt
5. Fill a basin with the ice cubes prepared earlier, to create an ice bath.
6. Pour the solution in each beaker into its respective test tube to the halfway mark, or about a
height of 5 cm. Place a thermometer into each test tube. Then, place the 8 test tubes into the ice
bath.
7. Observe when the first ice crystals start to form, and record the temperature in a table, as
shown below.
Results
The results show that adding more sugar or salt to the solution will lower its freezing point.
Solute
Freezing point of solution (°C)
used
l 0.5 mol 1.0 mol 1.5 mol 2.0 mol
Salt -1.8 -3.6 -5.5 -7.4
Sugar -1 -1.9 -3.1 -4.1
The above results were then plotted onto a graph, as shown below.
Conclusion
The hypothesis that a higher salt or sugar content in water will lower its freezing point has been
proven to be true.
Water will normally freeze at 0 °C. However, seawater does not freeze at 0 °C, as the presence of
salt lowers its freezing temperature to below 0 °C. The concept of freezing point depression is
useful in applications where water needs to be kept liquid, especially in the use of antifreeze in
combustion engines operating at freezing temperatures.

10th Science Project

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The Effects of Salt and Sugar on

Freezing Point Depression

4. Prepare 8 varieties of solution in each beaker as described below:

a. Salt 0.5M – Mix 100ml of water with 2.9g of salt

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