Your Safer Source for Science
All-In-One Science Solution
Your Safer Source for Science
;
Address P.O. Box 219 Batavia, IL 60510
Phone 800-452-1261
Fax
Email [email protected]

Salt with a Sparkle

firewatch

Publication 91302

Price: FREE

When ordinary table salt is irradiated, it turns brown due to “color centers” (defects) in the excited-state crystal structure. When the irradiated salt is heated on a hot plate, it gives off flashes of light and turns white as the excited-state crystal returns to the ground state. The thermal fluorescence of irradiated table salt is used to illustrate crystal defects.