Magic Sand

fist_187 writes "Here's a link to an interesting chemistry video about "magic sand", a hydrophobic solid. I've seen something like this done before with a certain type of pollen. But, this is the first demonstration I've seen that uses a material actually more dense than water."

Comments

Like sands in the hourglass

[acceleriter]

so go the days of our first posts.

Re:make your own!!!!

[HughsOnFirst]

That seems way too hot, more that 400 degrees , the flash point
of paraffin is 450, the same as for paper.

Wham-o made theirs with silicone. Here
is a nice page that goes into the details

interesting but i'm not entirely convinced

[evacuate_the_bull]

the last word echoed in my ears "the sand remains dry" as i stared at the just-ended mpg showing the magic sand. however, if you look at the container that had just held the magic sand/water (the very last frame of the movie, the one you see when the movie is done) there appears to be magic sand stuck to the edges of the container. if "the sand remains dry" would it stick to the sides of the container? methinks not, but i'm not a scientist.

Re:For the brave...

[ealar dlanvuli]

From the page

Melting Money and Melting Memos, marketed by So Much Fun, are paper items that dissolve when placed in water. The paper is composed of carboxymethylcellulose (starch) with 20% or less cellulose. This material has been used by organizations such as the CIA for secret or sensitive documents that can easily be destroyed by wetting with water. A number of toys using this are Trash Bag Bunch, the wrapper of Hot Wheels Revealers, and Bye-Bye Diapers.

Diapers that disolve in water.. interesting