No, play sand does not melt ice.
While sand won't melt ice through a chemical reaction or by drastically raising its temperature, it's commonly used on icy surfaces for a different purpose: to improve traction. Here's why:
- Improved Traction: The primary reason sand is spread on ice is to provide a rough surface for vehicles and pedestrians. The grains of sand create friction, which helps prevent slipping.
- Sand Temperature: Sand can absorb heat from the sun, which might slightly warm the ice it's in contact with, but the effect is minimal and doesn't "melt" the ice in any meaningful way.
- Alternative De-Icers: Materials like salt (sodium chloride) and calcium chloride are used to melt ice because they lower the freezing point of water. Sand doesn't have this property.
In summary, sand is a mechanical aid for dealing with ice, not a chemical one. It's all about increasing friction, not inducing melting.
