Take a shortcut on the thousands of years needed for limestone stalactites and stalagmites to form in cave, forming salt stalactites in a matter of days.
What you need:
Epsom salt or rock salt, string, water, glasses, paperclips, saucepan
What to do:
- In a saucepan, dissolve as much salt in hot water as you can by stirring over heat.
- Place a string between two glasses. Secure it with paperclips.
- Fill the cups with the salt water solution. Make sure the string is touching the solution in each glass.
- Wait for stalactites to form. You might need to place some paper or a plate between the glasses to catch any mess.
Back to Home Science activities.
—this homescience activity written by FLEET PhD candidate Abigail Goff, RMIT