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Home » Key Stage 2 Science » Ice Experiments – Making Frost

Ice Experiments – Making Frost

Modified: Jan 9, 2025 · Published: Nov 29, 2011 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

Today is day 2 of our week of icy experiments. You can see yesterday’s fun with freezing here.

When we left the house yesterday to go to school, Z and S were fascinated by the frost on the car and ground, so we thought we would try to make some at home.

Frost on a can experiment

Frost on a can science experiment

A clean and empty tin can

Crushed ice

Water

Salt

How to make frost on a can

Fill the tin can about half full with ice and add 2 tablespoons of salt and water.

Wait and watch the frost form. Keep adding salt and water if you don’t see frost start to appear after a few minutes.

How does frost form?

The air around us can hold a lot of water, which is called water vapour.  You can’t see it, but it’s usually there (especially in a kitchen).  We can often see this water vapour when it condenses on windows, cars, grass and cobwebs.  We call this dew.  Cold surfaces generally make the water vapour condense because colder air can’t hold as much water so what it can’t hold turns into droplets on surfaces.

 If the surface is very cold (below the freezing point of water) the condensed water vapor freezes, this is what we see as frost.

In our experiment, we filled a can with crushed ice and water.  This makes the water and the can sit at around the freezing point of water (zero degrees Celsius).  To make the water even colder, we added salt.  Salt lowers the melting point of ice, but by doing so it means that the surface of the can is actually below freezing point.  This makes the water vapour in the air condense and freeze on the can.

Look closely at the frost. You can see crystals of ice growing on each other.  Next time you see frost outside, take a closer look

See here for more ice experiments.

Last Updated on January 9, 2025 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jamie

    November 29, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    I LOVE your blog. Entertaining a 2 and almost 4 year old is not easy. There are so many things on here that I can’t wait to teach them. Thank you so much for puting this all together. I’m your newest follower.
    Would love to see you DIY Home Sweet home.
    Jamie
    http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/

    P.S. I have a linky every Monday. Would love for you to stop by and link up.

    Reply
  2. Kelly

    November 30, 2011 at 5:12 am

    This looks like fun, we will try it out 🙂 And I’ve just passed on an award to you (you don’t have to do anything with it… up to you!) http://happywhimsicalhearts.blogspot.com/2011/11/lucky-week.html

    Warm wishes, Kelly

    Reply
  3. Lindsi B

    December 02, 2011 at 6:23 pm

    I’d love you to link up with us.
    http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2011/12/fun-stuff-fridays-2.html

    Reply
  4. Suzanne

    March 21, 2012 at 12:23 am

    I think my buddies and I will try this soon. I have had the hardest time explaining the frost we see on the grass in the morning. This idea is perfect!

    Reply
  5. marie willson

    January 23, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    awesome

    Reply

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