A DAY out on the beach would be incomplete without a sand castle.

The mightier the

castle, the better. But sand is next to useless as a building material. Without water it
simply spreads out as wide as possible.
If you have ever tried to build a sand castle you know that there is a certain kind of wet sand
that is perfect for it. If there is too much water in your bucket the mixture is too soupy. If you
don't have enough water in your bucket the sand won't hold a shape and just crumbles. The
surface of water has an elastic quality because the molecules are hugging close together. This
is why some insects can walk on water.

Did you know that…

The science behind sandcastle building has something to do with the interaction between
water and sand, and also with a special force called “surface tension.” Surface tension is the
force that causes water molecules to be attracted to one another. The water molecules coat
the grains of sand and hold them together, forming water-drop bridges in the gaps between
the grains.Too little water, and surface tension can’t hold the sand grains together. Too
much water, and the water turns into a lubricant and your sand collapses and flows with the
water, making a mushy mess. The magic ratio of sand to water is about 8:1 – that is, 8 parts
sand to 1 part water. The other key is making sure EVERY GRAIN of sand is coated with
water to maximize the number and strength of those water-drop bridges holding the sand
together. Now that you know the science behind surface tension and sandcastles the next
time your out on the beach, you could possibly make the best sand castle ever!