freezing point depression

Freezing point depression occurs when a substance, like salt, is added to a liquid such as water, causing the liquid to freeze at a lower temperature than it normally would. This happens because dissolved particles interfere with the formation of the solid structure of ice, making it harder for the water molecules to arrange themselves into a solid. In practical terms, salt on icy roads prevents ice from forming or helps melt existing ice by lowering the temperature at which water freezes, improving safety. This principle is used in various applications to control freezing points of liquids.