======Magic Sand======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
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**Alternative titles:** Hydrophobic Sand
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====Summary====                   
{{$demo.summary}}



====Procedure====  
Making a Sand Tower:  
  - Roll a small piece of paper into a tube and place it upright in an empty plastic bowl.  
  - Pour magic sand into the paper tube.  
  - Carefully pour water into the bowl until it nearly reaches the top of the paper tube.  
  - Remove the paper tube to reveal a standing tower of sand.  

Making Magic Sand Cakes:  
  - Roll a piece of paper into a funnel.  
  - Use the funnel to make a mound of magic sand in a bowl.  
  - Slowly pour water down the side of the bowl until it almost reaches the top of the sand mound.  
  - Add another mound on top and repeat the process, building a layered "cake."



====Links==== 
Magic Sand | Science & STEAM for Kids - Cary Area Public Library: 
{{youtube>3rTU30hdbxU?}}\\

HYDROPHOBIC SAND aka Magic Sand Experiment (Sand that won't get wet) - Kids Fun Science: 
{{youtube>PzvjIGRYCFo?}}\\

📄 Magic Sand - American Chemical Society: [[https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/resources/k-8/science-activities/characteristicsofmaterials/polymers/magic-sand-science-for-kids.pdf]]\\


====Variations====
  * Compare how regular sand and magic sand behave in water.  
  * Build different shapes or sculptures with magic sand underwater.  
  * Test whether magic sand floats or sinks in different liquids (like oil).



====Safety Precautions====
  * Adult supervision required.  
  * Do not eat magic sand or place it near your eyes.  
  * Wear safety goggles during the activity.  
  * Wash hands thoroughly after handling.  
  * Keep all materials away from mouth, nose, and eyes.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does magic sand stay dry after being taken out of water? (Because it is coated with a hydrophobic substance that repels water.)  
  * How does magic sand differ from regular sand in water? (Regular sand mixes with water and sinks loosely, while magic sand clumps together and resists wetting.)  
  * What other substances are hydrophobic? (Examples include oil, wax, and some plastics.)  
  * How might hydrophobic materials be useful in everyday life? (They can be used for waterproof coatings, rain gear, and oil spill cleanups.)