Amazing - Perfect Salt Cubes Formed In The Dead Sea

Greetings,

Well how about this then, Nature forming perfect Salt Cubes in the Dead Sea near Israel.

Nature never fails to impress!

For anyone wondering, this occurs because of the chemical bond geometry of the salt. Since the surface is exposed to the same concentration of salt the cube grows symmetrically. “Those look like lattice defects caused by impurities. Potassium chloride, sodium bromide, that sort of thing. It disrupts the flow, but not enough to significantly weaken the lattice energy.” Crystal structure. You can have different shapes, but also different structures of those shapes. So for instance, crystals can form as a cube, but there can be body centred cube, meaning that there are the 8 normal corners and one in the very centre (9 atoms total). Or face centred, meaning that there is an atom in the centre of each face (14 atoms total). This can also affect material density. - See more at: www.wajlol.com...

Source

Have we any scientists in the house to confirm this?

Regards

Spiro


I was not sure were to post this.

Yep, that's very true! Salt, also known as Sodium Chloride, or NaCl, forms a "Face Centered Cubic" crystal structure, which creates perfect cubes like this. It isn't easy to produce such pristine cubes but it is definitely possible. Heck, you could probably recreate this in your own kitchen with some salt and a cup of water.

Nature at all levels, from atomic to astronomic, is amazing isn't it?

originally posted by: Pants3204

Nature at all levels, from atomic to astronomic, is amazing isn't it?

Yes it really is indeed. The more I explore mother earth the more I am amazed

Thanks for the clarification too

Regards

Spiro

I think there is quite a bit of bromide in dead sea salt. That is why people use it for baths, it relaxes people.

Now I wonder if that would also effect the shape somewhat or whether the crystals formed are actually void of this ion.

originally posted by: rickymouse
I think there is quite a bit of bromide in dead sea salt. That is why people use it for baths, it relaxes people.

Now I wonder if that would also effect the shape somewhat or whether the crystals formed are actually void of this ion.

Its also quite good for Psoriasis too. My mother visited the Holy lands a few years a go and brought me back some Dead Sea salts and they worked really well. It can be bought in certain UK stores however it just does not have the same effect.

Regards

Spiro

a reply to: Spiro

cool vibration.

I thought that "there are no right angles in nature"


I recall hearing that somewhere, but I'm not sure if it was anywhere credible.

Either way, this is fairly awesome.

Eww, don't put it in your mouth. It could have all kinds of number 1 and number 2 on it. Either from birds or humans, considering there aren't any fish or other aquatic animals. I think there are certain bacteria though, at least on the sea floor where fresh water enters through fissures in the ground.

I would think that the explanation is correct, and has to do with the crystalline structure formed by chemical bonding. I do not know for sure, but it seems quite plausible. I'm glad you posted it at least, because I learned something new. Never knew this about the place.

a reply to: Spiro
If I remember correctly, I did this for one of my middle school science projects in the 80's.
Think all it consisted of was a glass, a piece of string, a piece of tape, water and salt.
It seems we had to buy a particular kind of salt but I don't remember the details.
Anyway the crystals formed on the string and I got an A..........I think.

a reply to: Spiro

Thought you might like this as well.

gizmodo.com...

originally posted by: Pants3204
Nature at all levels, from atomic to astronomic, is amazing isn't it?

Nature can be fractal : the structure at the large scale resembles the small-scale structure.

Thank you very much, I did enjoy that indeed a reply to: dragonridr

I also was under the impression of the same? In any case, this is awesome if nature really is producing right angles. Mmm, something to research perhaps? a reply to: Vortiki

My chemist in me is denying the perfect cubes.. its just not nature.

cubish i can understand not perfect even like that... nope.

However, im willing to be proven wrong.

It is probably a salt, yes, but nothing you would want to eat or taste.

Even when swimming in the dead sea you have to be careful not to get your eyes wet with the stuff. It's something like an oily water unlike anywhere else

originally posted by: Philippines
It is probably a salt, yes, but nothing you would want to eat or taste.

Even when swimming in the dead sea you have to be careful not to get your eyes wet with the stuff. It's something like an oily water unlike anywhere else

Its not oily just stings your eyes do to high salt content but it is incredibly easy to float and very hard to drown yourself.

a reply to: rickymouse

it relaxes people.

Doesn't it give you limp di*k also ?

a reply to: Spiro

For anyone wondering, this occurs because of the chemical bond geometry of the salt.

nonsense , its obviously Aliens and they are trying to slowly season us.

originally posted by: interupt42
a reply to: Spiro

For anyone wondering, this occurs because of the chemical bond geometry of the salt.

nonsense , its obviously Aliens and they are trying to slowly season us.

pmsl

That gave me a right good chuckle

Regards

Spiro