Have a go at the experiment at home. All you need are the following:
- Water
- Transparent cup/beaker/dish
- Stirrer
- Epsom salts (obtained from a Chemist shop)
Follow the video for instructions. Remember you can pause it when needed.
The chemical name for Epsom salts is magnesium sulphate.
An important skill for scientists is to be able to investigate claims. As consumers, we need to be able to find out if the things manufacturers claim about a product are true.
Fancy being a scientist? Try the following:
- Which three elements are present in magnesium sulphate?
- Examine a sample using a hand lens and describe it.
- Magnesium is an essential element in the human body.
- Research why our bodies need magnesium.
Although magnesium is essential for the body, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest it can be absorbed through the skin.
- How would you respond to an advert claiming that bathing in Epsom salts is a good way of avoiding magnesium deficiency?
A common use for Epsom salts is dissolving them in water to create a relaxing bath. See if you can get members of your family to volunteer to try this out and report back on whether it works for them.
- Do they experience any benefits and, if so, what?
If you enjoyed doing the above, a career as a science technician maybe just the thing for you.