Ice Fishing Picking Up An Ice Cube With A Piece Of String You need: ice cube bowl of water salt string, about 6" long Put the ice cube in the water. Drop the end of the string onto the top of the cube, and truy to pick the cube up. It will not work. Next put the string back on the cube and put a lot of salt on the cube. Wait 30 seconds. Now you will be able to lift the cube. Why? The salt melts a hole in the ice, and the string sticks to it. In 30 seconds the hold freezes again and the string is caught inside of it. Then you can pick up the cube by pulling on the string. Fall 2003 Classes | Philosophy | Resources | Tutoring Schedule | Summer 2003 Classes | Contact Us