Something that always confused me, as the water seems to react with bubbles when I throw salt into it. My theory is that little amount of energy gets released when the ion grid structure is broken up, but still boiling point is higher for salted water. Could absolutely be bullshit… maybe someone can explain?
Edit: Thank you all guys for taking the time to explain!
It’s likely nucleation. Basically, the water wants to boil, however it can quite get over the hump to produce a gas bubble. When you add salt, the surface acts as a nucleation point. Once the bubble forms, it grows rapidly, often splitting and forming more.
You see this effect at the other end too. Supercooled water will remain liquid, until something becomes available to crystallise around. When this happens, the whole lot will freeze in seconds.
More water vapor made when you throw in salt when it’s actively boiling? Likely a physical reaction rather than a change to boiling point. The surface of the salt is rough, creating more surface area for the molecules to turn into their gaseous form.
Similar to mentos and diet coke, gases suspended in liquid can be released more efficiently with rough surfaces.
Something that always confused me, as the water seems to react with bubbles when I throw salt into it. My theory is that little amount of energy gets released when the ion grid structure is broken up, but still boiling point is higher for salted water. Could absolutely be bullshit… maybe someone can explain?
Edit: Thank you all guys for taking the time to explain!
It’s likely nucleation. Basically, the water wants to boil, however it can quite get over the hump to produce a gas bubble. When you add salt, the surface acts as a nucleation point. Once the bubble forms, it grows rapidly, often splitting and forming more.
You see this effect at the other end too. Supercooled water will remain liquid, until something becomes available to crystallise around. When this happens, the whole lot will freeze in seconds.
More water vapor made when you throw in salt when it’s actively boiling? Likely a physical reaction rather than a change to boiling point. The surface of the salt is rough, creating more surface area for the molecules to turn into their gaseous form.
Similar to mentos and diet coke, gases suspended in liquid can be released more efficiently with rough surfaces.
It’s just adding a bunch of extra surface area so the bubbles form on it. Like mentos and coke. https://youtu.be/QW7r2RHt6tY
deleted by creator
I completly agree just wanted to point out you will actually increase the boiling point of water when adding salt. Not decrease.