No, mystic sand is not polar. It is non-polar.
Mystic sand, also known commercially as Magic Sand or Nano Sand, is specifically treated to be hydrophobic, meaning it repels water.
Understanding Mystic Sand's Polarity
Based on the provided reference, here's why mystic sand is non-polar:
- Treatment Process: Normal sand grains are coated with a substance using a trimethylsilanol vapor treatment.
- Molecular Coating: This treatment applies non-polar molecules to the surface of the sand grains.
- Comparison to Oil: These non-polar molecules are described as being "the same kind of molecules oil is composed of". Oil is famously non-polar and does not mix with water.
- Interaction with Water: The presence of this non-polar coating makes the sand grains "unlikely to interact with water".
Water is a polar substance. Polar substances tend to attract other polar substances. Non-polar substances, on the other hand, are repelled by polar substances like water. Since mystic sand repels water, its surface must be non-polar.
Key Properties
Here's a quick look at the core properties related to its polarity:
| Property | Description | Resulting Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Base Material | Normal sand (silica, typically polar) | N/A |
| Surface Coating | Non-polar molecules (e.g., from trimethylsilanol) | Makes surface non-polar |
| Interaction w/ Water | Hydrophobic (repels water) | Indicates non-polar nature |
This non-polar coating is what gives mystic sand its unique properties, allowing it to form fascinating shapes and structures when submerged in water, as the individual grains stick to each other while avoiding contact with the surrounding liquid.
