Both of you are overlooking a pretty big component of the question...the Group I cation isn't being dissociated into water. We're testing the solubility of the cation when mixed with HCl. And this IS a legitimate question, seeing as our lab manual is the one asking.
<span>By the way, the answer you're looking for is "Because Group I cations have insoluble chlorides". </span>
<span>"In order...to distinguish cation Group I, one adds HCl to a sample. If a Group I cation is present in the sample, a precipitate will form." </span>
The sand provides a rough surface on top of the ice for the cars' tires to grip onto. It provides more friction. Salt melts the ice and often provides more friction (the disadvantage is that it eats concrete!).
