What is Magic Snow?

Magic snow is an absorbent polymer that is safe and non-toxic, it has the ability to expand up to 40 times its original volume. The snow starts out as a simple powder that looks similar to sugar or salt. The magic happens when water or other liquid is introduced to the magic snow, which quickly expands to absorb the liquid.

How is it Used?

Hollywood uses it for special effects, many people use it to decorate for parties, and thanks to its low price you can use
magic snow for fun. When using magic snow, use it on a dish, bowl, cup, test tube, or anything else that will help you contain the magic snow. First place the magic snow into the container of your choosing, next sprinkle a small amount of magic snow into the container. Then add a small amount of water and watch it grow. Use more in the following trials once an idea of the amount the magic snow expands is gained.

Example





Do not let magic snow into drains or pipes; it will expand causing them to clog. The best way to dispose of magic snow absorbent material is to put it in a plastic bag and then in the trash. Do not rinse the container you use for magic snow creation in the sink, even a little can cause clog. However if you do accidentally clog a drain, a small amount of bleach will clear the drain.

In a previous post on warblettes, we conducted a small experiment demonstrating the absorption characteristics of warblettes.   There is a small summary below that you can use as a refresher, or you can view the actual warblette experiment.

Warblettes Lab Activity

As mentioned in the previous post, warblettes are co-polymers that absorb up to 200 times their volume in water.  Warblettes are perfect for science fair experiments, in the classroom, or just as a fun activity for your family. Warblettes, which are sometimes referred to as water marbles, are non-toxic and come in clear, red, blue, green, and yellow colors.

The basic absorption experiment we posted on warblette absorption is a simple experiment that uses household objects.  Warblettes can be used for much deeper science and educational learning.  Heath Scientific has created a lab manual for this purpose.

The warblette lab activity book has activities for every age student. There are 13 activities ranging from math and graphing to cellular biology. You can use warblettes to demonstrate potential and kinetic energy, change over time (graphing), man-made and natural polymers, and light refraction. The labs include explanations and procedures. If needed, modify the activities to fit your students abilities or needs.

The Labs Cover:

1.) Calculating Volume – Math
2.) Observation Skills
3.) Polymers and Water Absorbtion
4.) Absorption of Household Liquids
5.) Water Absorption and Time
6.) Water Absorption and Temperature
7.) Advanced Measurement – Volume, Calipers, Averaging, and Reading Charts
8.) Graphing – Line Graph
9.) Potential Energy – Comparing Diameter to Rolling Distance
10.) Varying the Height of an Inclined Plane
11.) The Effects of Acidity on Water Absorbtion
12.) Light Refraction
13.) Density

Both the warblettes and the lab activity book are available at Heath Scientific, which has been providing educational supplies for over 20 years.

Warblettes are co-polymers that can absorb up to 200 times their volume in water. The warblettes water marbles are perfect for science fair experiments, in the classroom, or just as a fun activity for your family. These water marbles are non-toxic and come in clear, red, blue, green, and yellow. Heath Scientific offers a warblettes lab activity book that includes 13 activities that focus on different subjects like math, graphing, and cellular biology, perfect for science fair projects and classroom experiments. The procedures for running each experiment are explained and the labs can be modified to meet your specific needs.

Enough about the details lets take a look at the Warblettes in action!! As mentioned they are able to absorb 200 times their volume in water. Our experiment compares the warblette, aluminum foil from a chewing gum package,  and a piece of paper towel. This will show the differing amounts of absorption between the water marble and these other household items.

First the paper towell, foil, and the warblette were placed in water bottle caps, then each cap was filled with water.  (Note that we are using bottle caps as they are easily accessible in the home.  If you wish to measure liquid absorbtion in milliliters, a beaker or test tube will need to be used).  The items were left alone for 8 hours allowing them to absorb as much water as possible.

The picture below shows all of the items after 8 hours of absorption time. As you can see the aluminum foil absorbed no water, which was expected as metal is a virtually non-absorbent material. The paper towel absorbed a little more than half of the water in the cap. Paper towels are designed to clean up spills so it makes sense that this would be the case. Finally the warblette absorbed all of the water available in the cap, we even filled it a second time and it absorbed this too! The warblettes actually lock the water away so that they are not wet to the touch like the paper towel is.

Here is a picture of the warblette before the introduction of any water, as you can see it is very small in comparison to a dime.

This is the warblette at the end of the experiment; note the drastic size change after the absorption of water.

Warblettes have superior absorbent properties when compared with the aluminum foil and paper towel. This is an example of an easy and fun experiment that can be done with simple household items. The lab activity book offers more challenging experiments that are better suited for science fairs and classroom experiments. To find more experiments like these visit Heath Scientific, a family owned and operated company, which has been providing teachers, parents and students with educational supplies for more than 20 years. They offer warblettes and many other science supplies, science fair kits, and other fascinating products.

This post takes a look at the Hydro-Splitter Kit offered by Heath Scientific. The Hydro-Splitter Kit is a science fair project for kids that educates them about electricity and the electrolysis of water.

Other projects similar to the Hydro-Splitter are also available from the Heath Scientific website. The website offers science supplies as well as other science projects cover a wide range of topics from carbon to light and optics kits. These kits offer a cost effective way for parents to enrich their children’s minds while having fun at the same time.

General Information

Water is made up of twice as many hydrogen molecules as oxygen molecules; this is why the chemical formula is H2O. Electricity breaks this formula down when introduced into water. The molecules split with hydrogen appearing at the cathode and the oxygen will mix with one hydrogen molecule making hydroxide.

Supplies Needed

- 1 Beaker
- 2 Carbon Rod Electrodes
- 1 Acid/Base Indicator
- 3 Alligator Clip Wires
- Salt
- 2 Droppers
- 9 Volt Battery- not included in the Hydro-Splitter Kit

Experiment Procedure

The carbon rod electrodes are connected to the battery with the alligator clip wires. Fill the beaker with 200 milliliters of water along with 25 drops of acid/base indicator and a pinch of salt. Adding a second 9 Volt battery can increase the speed of the reaction.

Results

There will be more hydrogen molecules than oxygen in the water and the electrode that the hydrogen is drawn to will have more bubbles. The water around this electrode will be blue; the water around the other electrode where the oxygen is drawn will be pink. This kit allows for a cost effective way to explain the concepts of electricity and voltage.

Founded by Pat and Heath Nichols, Heath Scientific is a provider of educational supplies located in Cedar Hill, Texas. Major suppliers of Heath Scientific include AntWorks, Thames & Kosmos, Uncle Milton, and Can You Imagine. If you are interested in hosting a school fundraiser, or obtaining science related educational tools, contact Heath Nichols at Heath Scientific by email at heath@heathscientific.net or by phone at (972) 291-4223.

Volume Density Experiment