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calcium chloride

calcium chloride

1 4.0
A white salt that melts ice on roads and dries things
  • noun
  • /ˈkæl.si.əm ˈklɔːr.aɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cloruro de calcio
  • For effective snow removal, sprinkle calcium chloride on the pavement before a storm.
  • calcium chloride solution

Examples

  • That's because when calcium chloride dissolves in water, it's exothermic, so it actually releases heat.

  • Calcium chloride is often used as a de-icing agent to clear snow and ice from calcium chloride.

  • Many homeowners buy calcium chloride to prevent ice buildup on their driveways during winter.

How Absorbent

silica gel
  • Specialized
1 5.8
calcium chloride
  • Specialized
1 4.0
sodium chloride
  • Specialized
3 2.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

calcium + chloride

The term is fully compositional: combining 'calcium' and 'chloride' denotes the chloride salt of calcium, so a learner who knows both constituent meanings can infer it refers to a calcium-containing chemical compound. Specific properties or uses (deliquescent, de-icing) are not predictable from the words alone, but the core referent as a calcium chloride salt is transparently derivable.

Etymology

Calcium chloride is named for its two parts, calcium and chloride, which together make a kind of 'salt'. This salt pulls water from the air and gives off heat when it meets ice, so it can 'melt' ice on roads and 'dry' things, which is why it is used for de-icing and drying.