The Sandbox

Experiments!

Jet Boat | Making Waves | Underwater Scope | Eruption! | Water Swinger | I Haven't The Foggiest Idea | Old Sea Salt | Why Boats Float and Elephants Sink...

Old Sea Salt!

Where does the salt in oceans come from? Some of it comes from underwater volcanoes and some falls from the sky in the rain water. Most of the salt comes from rocks on land that is washed into the ocean by rivers.

The name for the saltiness of the water is salinity, and it is measured by the number of parts of salt in one thousand parts of water (p.s.u., or practical salinity units). The saltier the water, the easier it is to float.

Rivers and lakes generally have a level of 0 p.s.u., meaning they contain none or almost no salt per thousand parts of water. Ordinary oceans average a salinity level of 35 p.s.u.. The Red Sea, which is located between Asia and Africa, has a salinity level of 42 p.s.u.!

Tasting the Red Sea

If you want to experience how salty the Red Sea is, follow these few simple steps.

Ingredients:

• Warm water
• A measuring cup
• A bowl
• Salt
• A few drops of red food colouring

1. Measure out a liter of warm water and pour it into the bowl.
2. Add four teaspoons of salt into the water.
3. Add a few drops (3 or 4 is fine) of red food colouring to the mixture.
4. Take a sip (not too much!).

Delicious!