What is the magic sand?

Magic sand is an ordinary sand that has been covered with trimethylsilanol, a compound that makes it resistant to water. The result is a hydrophobic sand that can be used in various interesting ways. This substance was originally developed for use in cleaning of oil leaks, but instead used as a children's toy and an educational instrument. Many shops that sell scientific oriented children's toys. Individual grains tend to hold together in the water and create blocks that can be shaped into different shapes. With a slight distraction over the water surface, the sand will stick together to form a thin layer that will eventually float too hard and slowly sink to the bottom. This sand also appears to be slightly silver underwater, thanks to the air bubble that forms around the granules.

When lifting from the water, sand is perfectly dry and free-tune. People who grew up with this product can remember how fascinating a mysterious substance was because seemingly solid shapes underwater withE immediately dissolved when they are pulled out.

The idea of ​​this sand, when it was originally developed, was that it could be dispersed over the oil leak to connect with the oil. As it did, it would grow extremely heavy, eventually sinking to the bottom of the ocean and taking oil with it. However, the magic sand proved to be expensive to produce and doubts about the environmental sound method of this cleaning method were raised.

As a result of his commercial failure, the manufacturer was wondering what to do with a new invention. The solution was to color the sand in engaging colors, mark it "Magic Sand", "Mars Sand" or "Space Sand" and sell it as a toy. This product was extremely popular at the age of 80, a lot to cuddle parents who had to clean up their children, and continues to be used in scientific demonstrations of hydrophobic materials.

Magic sand can be made at home by baking sand tothe moisture was removed and then coated with a spray repelled by water designed to protect the substance, throwing sand to ensure that it is evenly covered.