ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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In addition to bluing and borax which we find near the top shelf of the
laundry detergent aisle, I also like to use Epsom salts.  Heated
super-saturated solutions of borax and Epsom salts both will crystallize
when allowed to cool.  I put them in petri dishes and use dissecting
microscopes to watch crystals form.  Using polarized light filters you
can even see the direction of crystal growth in 3 dimensions.  

Eric Meyer
Projects/Explorations Manager
505-224-8386
[log in to unmask]
 
explora
1701 Mountain Rd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jane Snell Copes
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: bluing, laundry starch, borax, washing soda, ammonia

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****

These old-fashioned laundry products are really available in grocery 
stores, but they may be grouped together with other odd-ball 
household items.  Liquid laundry starch and borax are very useful for 
making cross-linked polymer goops, glops, and slimes.  Bluing makes a 
wonderful and indelible ink for writing with a quill or a steel pen. 
Washing soda and ammonia are bases that are more concentrated than 
baking soda.  You need them in your chemistry set.  Glop on, Jane
-- 
Jane Snell Copes	  Science Outside the Box 
www.scienceoutsidethebox.com        651-357-3316 (cell)

Science Outside the Box is a tiny business that celebrates the 
scientist in every one of us.  I am a writer and teacher, and I have 
fun with science every single day.  I'm especially fond of designing 
classes and science magic shows for kids and parents.


Science questions?  Ask Professor Sepoc:
[log in to unmask]

"To be an inventor, you need a good imagination and a big pile of 
junk."  Edison

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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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