Sodium acetate crystallization, colloquially known as “hot ice,” is an exothermic process. When sodium acetate trihydrate is dissolved in hot water, the oppositely charged ions dissociate to create a saturated salt solution. If the mixture is cooled to the melting point of the saturated salt, ion reassociation can be sparked by providing crystals a salt surface on which to form. The result of crystallization is achieved with a blue coated coloring representing its mildly basic properties.
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