Salt is applied to icy roadways because the salt

While salt does interact with ice, it does not simply dissolve it like a solute dissolves in a solvent. Instead, the presence of salt lowers the melting point of the ice, causing it to transition into liquid water at temperatures where it would normally remain frozen. Hence, this option misrepresents the primary action of salt on ice.

Adding salt does not increase the temperature of the ice; rather, it affects its melting point. The temperature of the ice remains unchanged until it melts, at which point the surrounding conditions allow for the formation of liquid water. Therefore, this option is incorrect as it misinterprets the thermal dynamics involved.

Salt does not decompose water; instead, it remains largely intact when mixed with ice. The addition of salt alters the physical state of water but does not break down its molecular structure. This choice mischaracterizes the interaction between salt and ice.