Experiments: Hydrophobic Sand | The Purple Cow

Experiments: Hydrophobic Sand | The Purple Cow

The meaning of “hydrophobic” is “fear of water”.

Hydrophobic materials repel water and cannot bind to water molecules or mix with water. They are also called non-polar materials. An example of a hydrophobic material is oil.

Hydrophobic sand is covered with a special coating that repels water. The hydrophobic coating is made from environmentally friendly materials. The coating keeps the sand grains dry even when immersed in water. It is difficult to identify the difference between the two types of sand with the naked eye.

Try this sand and compare it to regular sea sand – they look similar, but they react very differently. Take some common sand. See what happens when you pour water on it? What happens when you spill oil? Check whether the two types of sand float or sink in the water. What happens when you pour the 2 sands into a layer of oil that floats in a glass? Notice if the hydrophobic sand gets wet.

Have fun experimenting!

A selection of the most fun and fascinating materials from the world of the Mad Scientist!

Ideal for an original STEM gift or simply to enjoy an experience with incredible materials! Each product comes with a scientific explanation about the material and some ideas for fun experiments.

Age: +8 years

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