DIY Glass

Tried to 'make' glass today in my Year 10 class.

Basically you need some Silica (Silicon Dioxide... or basically some sand), Calcium carbonate, and Sodium carbonate. Add heat and watch the magic.

Or so I thought.

We had 6 bunsen burners going all pointing at one spot in the mixture; giving the students a nice face tan from the heat generated.

What did we get out of it? Just a bunch of sand mixed up in white powder that is very hot - almost like those heat salts that oysters are served on when they come out in restaurants.

Then after class I suddenly realized what an idiot I have been... of course I won't have enough heat with 6 bunsen burners - one bunsen burner can't even remotely come close to 'melting' a glass beaker!

But then I had fun - never really got to use 6 bunsen burner pointed directly at a pile of sand before in my lifetime until now.