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

    Ice Experiments – Making Frost

    November 29, 2011 By Emma Vanstone 17 Comments

    Today is day 2 of our week of icy experiments, you can see yesterdays 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

    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 some salt and water.

    Wait and watch the frost form.

    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 a bit of water.  This makes the water and the can sit at around the freezing point of water (zero degrees Celsius).  However we need to get it even colder and we do this by adding salt.  Salt lowers the melting point of ice (and we might investigate this process later on), 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 (and you can make sure there is some by putting the can on a wet paper towel) 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 7, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

    « Colour Mixing with Ice – Ice Experiments for Kids
    Freezing and melting ice cubes »

    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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