Your child is probably familiar with coal: it's those chalky black briquettes that cook up burgers and hot dogs on the open grill. But does he know that with a lot of pressure—and even more time—coal can be transformed into glittering diamonds?
You don't have to wait millions of years to turn coal into a beautiful gem. Watch coal turn into crystals right before your eyes! While you're at it, take time to explain how diamonds are formed: he'll be surprised to learn that natural material, such as peat, is compressed over years and years into carbon-rich coal, and then into crystals!
What You Need:
- Adult helper
- Measuring spoon
- Liquid bluing
- Laundry detergent
- Iodized salt (table salt)
- Small bottle of ammonia
- Small jar
- Plastic picnic spoon or old table spoon
- 8 to 10 charcoal briquettes
- Disposable pie tin
- Food coloring
Show Instructions
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See more activities in: Fifth Grade, Earth & Space Science
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