You may have used coloured inks in writing. Have you ever produced a message written with shiny crystals.
Things Required:
Table salt
1 sheet black construction paper
Art brush
Teaspoon
Stove with an oven
WARNING: An adult’s supervision is needed for the use of the oven.
Directions:
Add 3 teaspoonfuls of salt to 1/4 cup of water. Warm the oven to 150°F. Use an art brush to write a message on the black paper. Stir the salt solution with the brush before making each letter. It is important that this be done in order to produce a clear message. Turn the oven off and place the paper in the oven on top of the wire racks. Allow the paper to heat for five minutes or until it dries.
This Is What Happens:
The message appears as white, shiny crystals on a black background.
Science Behind It:
The water evaporates, leaving dry salt crystals on the paper. Evaporation is the process by which a material changes from a liquid to a gas. Liquid molecules are in constant motion, moving at different speeds and in different directions. When the molecules reach the surface with enough speed, they break through and become gas molecules. Heating the paper speeds up the evaporation process.
