To produce a message written with shiny crystals.

Materials

table salt
measuring teaspoon (5 ml)
measuring cup (250 ml)
stove with an oven
art brush
1 sheet black construction paper
Warning: Adult supervision is needed for use of the oven.

Procedure

Add 3 teaspoons (15 ml) of salt to ¼ cup (60 ml) water.
• Ask an adult helper to warm the oven to 150°F (66°C).
• 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 to do this in order to produce a clear message.
• Have the adult helper turn the oven off and place the paper in the oven on top of the wire racks.
• Allow the paper to heat for 5 minutes or until it dries.

Results

The message appears as white, shiny crystals on a black background.

Why?

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.

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