I suppose my fascination with NaCl began in freshman geology. I took this class because the TA was a hunk. But it was a hunk of NaCl, commonly known as Halite, that became my true love. This beauty comes in many shades but it is the milky white crystals that I love. These beauties pile on top of one another like natural Legos. But they also cover parts of the Death Valley like a fine dusting of snow.
Speaking of snow, Halite is a natural for snow. Commercially it is used to depress the freezing point of water. By lowering the freezing point of water Halite can be used to melt the dangerous ice and snow from steps, sidewalks, driveways and roads. If you have ever been behind a snow removal truck spraying water on a highway not yet covered by impeding snow you have seen the commercial use of Halite. This solution, similar to seawater, raises the freezing temperature before the fall of snow or ice keeping roads safer for drivers.
So the next time you see a humble box of rock salt on a store shelf think of it as the Halite of your life.