Hazards
Nickel salts are particularly toxic.
Chemicals and Solutions
- Mangenous sulfate
- Ferric Ammonium sulfate
- Copper sulfate
- Nickel ammonium sulfate
- Cobalt chloride
- 3.0 liters of Commercial Silicate Solution
- Distilled water
Discussion
Crystals are dropped into the silicate solution. The metal ions react with the sodium silicate to form a thin membrane of insoluble metal silicate. Water penetrates the membrane by osmosis, causing it to expand and burst. A new membrane then forms and the process repeats causing a column of colored metal silicate to form.