| Magic, Mars and Aqua Sand. Many names but all | | | | commercial is scientifically possible. |
| principally the same product that has been around | | | | The origin, however, is a far cry from a child's toy. |
| since the 1980's. Aqua Sand as of the moment is the | | | | Originally designed to treat oil spills by having the sand |
| latest reincarnation. Basically it is ordinary sand coated | | | | bond with the oil and sink to the ocean depths, the |
| in a trimethylhydroxysilane compound. It makes the | | | | process was deemed too expensive. So what did |
| sand hydrophobic, which means it is afraid of water. | | | | they decide to do with this odd product? They made it |
| You can style and shape it underwater, and it will stick | | | | into a safe toy known as Magic Sand. Now available in |
| together. Aqua Sand commercials show you are able | | | | several colors it not only offers children an opportunity |
| to make columns, bridges and towers among other | | | | to play but also can be used as a science experiment |
| things. Yet when it is taken out of the water it remains | | | | to introduce hydrophobic compounds to kids. Magic |
| completely dry. The protective coat prevents the sand | | | | Sand is one way to make science fun, though once |
| from absorbing the water and instead repels it. This | | | | you understand the secret science behind it, some of |
| causes it to stick together underwater but remain dry | | | | the magic vanishes. Still the product is fascinating to |
| out of water. It's like a magic trick. What happens in the | | | | watch. |