can i make a crystal ball from silica gel, if so, how. I have lots of silica gel and now have found a way of dissolving it, in hot alkali solution, but how do i now turn the dissolved gel into a crystal ball
2007-01-23 00:37:32 · 6 answers · asked by skorcha 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Silica gel is basically the same stuff as glass, however it is very very stable.
It works as a dessicant (ie removes water) because it has millions of tiny holes in it which trap water as air passes through it.
Unfortunately for your needs, it has the same melting point as SiO2 and is tricky to do anything with it
What I might suggest is dissolving it in very hot water, then heating it at 150 C in a mould. Gradually add more and more of your solution until you have your ball
I can't say for sure if this will work, in fact I have my doubts. It may not even be safe due to the dopants within silica gel (ie impurities). All in all, you take this at your own risk and there is no guarantee as to the effectiveness or the safety of the information I have written
2007-01-23 01:11:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL...so that's why you wanted to dissolve silica gel.
Sorry, but I doubt you will have great success in this. You can deposit the 'water glass' in layers, drying it between deposits...but impurities and process wd probably render it cloudy. And what wd you use for the mold?...probably a hollow plastic sphere like a net buoy. And how wd you polish it?
The best way to 'make' a crystal ball is to find a large quartz crystal or chunk of glass and take it to a lapidary shop. Many lapidists have the equipment to turn any rock into a perfect, highly polished sphere. You cd probably find an amateur one, they hide :-)), in your area who wd do this for you at low cost. Look under lapidary in a phone book or web search...or ask any 'rock-hound' you or your friends might know.
Good luck.
2007-01-23 09:27:41 · answer #2 · answered by L. A. L. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could make a mould with a ball of the right size cut in half. Or perhaps push it into a bucket of sand, then pour in the gel. No idea what it would look like, but it sounds like it might work.
2007-01-23 08:52:06 · answer #3 · answered by Hi T 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A Quartz Crystal Ball is a natural formation. A Lead Crystal Ball is man made glass. Check prices on eBay. http://feeds.feedburner.com//CrystalBallQuartz
Here’s a real crystal ball used every day by a professional psychic, now filmed for your focus and attention. http://www.psychic-junkie.com/ask-the-crystal-ball.html
2007-01-23 21:29:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Use your magic wand!
2007-01-23 08:42:19 · answer #5 · answered by jonah 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
upset it!
Get it? (bawl/ball)
he he
2007-01-23 08:49:46 · answer #6 · answered by ♥*´M`*♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋