Salt (NaCl)

What is salt? We've all seen it sitting in the shaker on the table but have you every wondered about it? What is salt exactly? Where did it come from? When was it discovered? Well, wonder no more.

The Salt Institute's site All you want to know about salt, http://www.saltinstitute.org/4.html , is a good starting place to learn about salt. Ok, what is salt? Just click on the link. Salt is sodium chloride (chemical formula NaCl) which occurs in many places as the mineral halite. This site does not just answer your question but provides links to other web sites to supplement their answer. In the case of "what is salt", six additional links are given allowing you to investigate further. Many of the terms and concepts are also links. Salt has quite a history. Make sure you check out "Does salt have a historical significance" before you leave. If you read the articles on salt and blood pressure and diet, please remember these people are promoting salt. Best to check with your doctor first. Nonetheless, it is an excellent site detailing how salt is mined, what it is used for and how kids can use it to have fun. The amount of information presented here is amazing.

So, what's left? That's the problem with such an overwhelming comprehensive site-it listed all the good web sites :(. But that does not mean we can't have fun. Let's do some salt experiments.

Some easy ones to start off with: http://www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us/cserv/2kids... - the disappearing act, http://library.thinkquest.org/2690/exper... - solubility, (http://members.ozemail.com.au/~macinnis/... and http://www.spartechsoftware.com/reeko/Ex... )- soak some spuds, http://www.publish.csiro.au/cyberscience... - shrunken heads.

Can it float ( http://www.cbc4kids.ca/general/the-lab/d... , http://www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us/cserv/2kids... , http://www.publish.csiro.au/cyberscience... )?

What happens to the boiling point of water when salt is added ( http://library.thinkquest.org/2690/exper... , http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/... , http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese... http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese... )?

What happens to the freezing point of water when salt is added (http://www.sciencecityindia.com/fws/fwsa... , http://octopus.gma.org/surfing/antarctic... , ( http://antoine.fsu.umd.edu/chem/senese/1... and http://antoine.fsu.umd.edu/chem/senese/1... - a chemistry site which provides a good explanation) )?

Make a "salt volcano"( http://www.exploratorium.edu/science_exp... , http://www.letstalkscience.uwo.ca/activi... ). Ever wonder how a lava lamp worked?

A fun activity is growing crystals ( http://www.yesmag.bc.ca/projects/salt_vi... , http://www.enchantedrocks.com/Experiment... , http://library.thinkquest.org/2690/exper... , http://www.chem-inst-can.org/ncw/experim... , http://www.chem-inst-can.org/ncw/experim... , http://rockhoundingar.com/pebblepups/gro... , http://www.cargillsalt.com/sfbay/KP_extr... , http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/Sc... ).

Lift an ice cube ( http://www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us/cserv/2kids... ).

How salty is the sea ( http://www.oceansconservation.com/kids/e... ).

A few more difficult experiments:

http://www.chem-inst-can.org/ncw/experim... - electrolysis of a water solution

http://www.funsci.com/fun3_en/electro/el... - conductors

http://www.chem-inst-can.org/ncw/experim... - removing iodine from iodized salt

http://chemistry.damien.edu/Honors2001/j... - purifying rock salt.

That should keep you busy for now. Have fun.

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