How Does Silica Gel Work?

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 13 бер 2014
  • What is silica gel, and why do I find little packets of it in everything I buy? Lauren explains it all in this week's episode.
    Whether the topic is popcorn or particle physics, you can count on the HowStuffWorks team to explore - and explain - the everyday science in the world around us on BrainStuff.
    Download the New TestTube iOS app! testu.be/1ndmmMq
    Watch More BrainStuff on TestTube testtube.com/brainstuff
    Subscribe Now! ua-cam.com/users/subscription_c...
    Watch More / brainstuffshow
    Twitter / brainstuffhsw
    Facebook / brainstuff
    Google+ gplus.to/BrainStuff
  • Наука та технологія

КОМЕНТАРІ • 263

  • @FrederickDunn
    @FrederickDunn 3 роки тому +39

    Wait... my entire life, I've not known "Adsorb" was a thing, I'm deeper for having watched this just 40 seconds in! Awesome! Thank you!

  • @cstll84
    @cstll84 9 років тому +80

    Great job freaking me out. I thought something was wrong with my computer when it started to fade out haha

  • @Urb4n0Ninj4
    @Urb4n0Ninj4 10 років тому +140

    Adsorbing....huh. Learn something new every day!
    Thanks Lauren!

    • @BrainStuffShow
      @BrainStuffShow  10 років тому +15

      That was my favorite takeaway from this episode's research! /Lauren

    • @readyrepairs
      @readyrepairs 10 років тому +2

      BrainStuff i was totes about to be like SHE SAID ADSORB LOLOLOLOL but then i was schooled. and for that, thank you. also.... youre hot. you can adsorb me any day.

    • @ragenreddit2566
      @ragenreddit2566 4 роки тому +4

      @@readyrepairs wtf

    • @WarriorsPhoto
      @WarriorsPhoto 3 роки тому +1

      I thought this was good as well. I enjoyed learning this. (:

    • @ragenreddit2566
      @ragenreddit2566 3 роки тому +1

      @@WarriorsPhoto you YOU reminded me on that man how could you?

  • @therealnoodles7638
    @therealnoodles7638 4 роки тому +11

    I use to dry my shoes after a good workout. Works, gets rid of odors and sweat inside the shoe.

  • @The_Notorious_N.O.E.
    @The_Notorious_N.O.E. 8 років тому +98

    I seriously wouldn't have mind it if she had gone on about all the other uses for silica packs for about another 2 or 3 minutes. That would be so helpful

  • @oafkad
    @oafkad 10 років тому +53

    When I worked at Circuit City (to date this story) one of our employees wanted to play a prank on the Manager of Televisions. She slipped silica packets into his coffee. He saw her do it and walked over and picked it up, slowly bringing it towards his mouth.
    He looked at her and said "Man I was just unpacking stuff and found some of those silica packets." She smiled and nodded. He continued. "Crazy how they are extremely toxic."
    She panicked and immediately tells him that there are some in his coffee and that she thought they were harmless. He then takes a swig and all the color from her face runs out.
    For the rest of the day he would feign gagging anytime he walked by her and she was in a packet the entire time. It wasn't until close that he finally told her "Silica is sand. Sand is harmless."
    Good times. I miss that group of weirdos sometimes.

    • @sperminspace.
      @sperminspace. 4 роки тому +2

      boomers joking around at work by poisoning and borderline killing each other
      gigakek

    • @sperminspace.
      @sperminspace. 4 роки тому

      5 years passed since then, fun is now illegal in 2020

  • @kingemocut
    @kingemocut 10 років тому +41

    preventing camara lens fogging while they fade out? well though of editor, well thought of.

  • @WarriorsPhoto
    @WarriorsPhoto 3 роки тому

    Good bit of info and I am glad I watched this video. Thank you for the information.

  • @ThaPCGamers
    @ThaPCGamers 9 років тому +11

    I found packets of silica gel in the hunger games game
    It said do not eat
    I was like "WTF"

  • @jatinderbanga
    @jatinderbanga 9 років тому +1

    Thank for the video always wondered how exactly it worked lol

  • @tariq729me1
    @tariq729me1 5 років тому

    Your explaining is so easy to understand. Its makes is Interesting to listen sometimes boring subjects.

  • @Rousnay
    @Rousnay 5 років тому

    Nicely presented!

  • @Bodragon
    @Bodragon 7 років тому

    Great explanation!

  • @Tipjar333
    @Tipjar333 4 роки тому

    Well done. Thank you.

  • @thegoldenbird9
    @thegoldenbird9 9 років тому

    Thanks for the help. Adsorption thing was really cool.

  • @mac-donaldduru6687
    @mac-donaldduru6687 3 роки тому

    The end was terrific 👍🏾

  • @josephjackson1956
    @josephjackson1956 Рік тому +1

    Lol that was pretty funny the list of things that were useful for reusing silica gel

  • @MerfyG
    @MerfyG 3 роки тому

    Awesome video

  • @Cyrielle_H
    @Cyrielle_H 8 років тому +6

    That was super helpful thanks!!!

    • @BrainStuffShow
      @BrainStuffShow  8 років тому +6

      +Cyrielle H ^____^ Thank YOU for watching! /Lauren

  • @badrinarayanankannan2357
    @badrinarayanankannan2357 2 роки тому +2

    Thank you. This is more informative. Could you also explain how silicone is produced and different types of silicones. Why it is largely used as sealants.

  • @kingjelly901
    @kingjelly901 4 місяці тому

    really good

  • @thesniffysniffy
    @thesniffysniffy 10 років тому +2

    very interesting

  • @chrisflanders818
    @chrisflanders818 8 років тому +2

    there should be a video on the difference between absorb/adsorb. common misconception that i was unaware of

  • @belnardocastelo1577
    @belnardocastelo1577 Рік тому

    Thank you for being concise and to the point without yada yada yada.

  • @GradeAUnderA
    @GradeAUnderA 8 років тому +49

    Someone copied this video lol.
    The similarities between the start part of this video above and this one (watch?v=2OsLyBXH3rA) made over 2 years after this one are shocking, especially the "adsorbs vs absorbs" point. I don't understand why people would do this shit.
    Guess it means you're doing something right :p

    • @tilledleaf7478
      @tilledleaf7478 8 років тому +3

      oh hi GradeA lol

    • @kqay
      @kqay 8 років тому +2

      WHAT ARE YOU DOIN ERE

    • @kqay
      @kqay 8 років тому +1

      DAMNN

    • @HiAdrian
      @HiAdrian 8 років тому +7

      _"this video above and this one (watch?v=2OsLyBXH3rA)"_
      Thanks for posting a link to _this_ video, I would never have found it.

    • @GrandMaMaYT
      @GrandMaMaYT 8 років тому

      Grade!!!
      what is the title? im on mobile

  • @D-Allen
    @D-Allen 4 роки тому +2

    Good Video, One Question. Some desiccant packs can keep the RH levels to 70% and another may keep it at 55% RH. What is the difference between the two? The material used? Thanks

  • @CARLOS62B
    @CARLOS62B 2 роки тому

    They are fun to use for Macro Photography too Lauren.

  • @janicehastings1281
    @janicehastings1281 7 років тому +1

    When I put one of the silica gel packs on the side of my lower throat causing issues like sneezes, gagging, can't breathe, all from a shift of the hip by an Osteopath years back, which caused major breathing issues and due to a bad massage it can also shift this energy back complicating the breathing, but for me one little silica gel pack on the skin calms things down.....but please know your severity, for me it's only one side.

  • @jimmyrodriguez1274
    @jimmyrodriguez1274 3 роки тому

    Great Video, hey whats the name of the music in background?

  • @4rebecca
    @4rebecca 3 місяці тому

    cool video

  • @jaredevildog6343
    @jaredevildog6343 Рік тому

    Lauren ❤

  • @LeonardoHernandezPlus
    @LeonardoHernandezPlus 10 років тому

    love the Rust Cohle reference. ha ha ha!

  • @javidsohail8186
    @javidsohail8186 7 років тому +1

    that's helpful. well I'd like to know if it helps to dry your hair.. like it's you place 2-3 packets in your hair for a few minutes would it adsorb all of the water and make hair dry ?

  • @gantmj
    @gantmj 9 років тому +3

    I'm going to try to work in the word adsorb sometime, and watch people's confusion as they try to figure out why I'm saying absorb funny.

  • @clajmate69
    @clajmate69 4 роки тому

    im just curious but thanks for this vid

  • @dankpelt
    @dankpelt 10 років тому +2

    Awesome nod to True Detective's Rust there. :)

  • @fredbloke3218
    @fredbloke3218 8 місяців тому

    SG is packed into edges double glazed window panes and causes streaking when saturated, is it corrosive
    to glass or only abrasive so easier to clean off?

  • @b1na276
    @b1na276 6 років тому

    do you have to heat it inorder to be reused. or can you just leave it and wait for the room to be hot (like during summer)?

  • @nogaavisar9655
    @nogaavisar9655 Місяць тому

    has it been used in textile and fibers?
    I imagine it can be a game changer for humid places!

  • @ChrisCas22
    @ChrisCas22 8 років тому

    2 smart for me lol.. thnx for the nice lecture.

  • @farvatron
    @farvatron 2 роки тому +1

    Fantastic presentation! Cute presenter also!

  • @user-bc3cn9kl3k
    @user-bc3cn9kl3k 5 років тому

    So do you open them or leave in their bags for use?

  • @user-zt5oq7fz4t
    @user-zt5oq7fz4t Рік тому

    Hola tengo de conocimiento que la SILICA también puede usarse como clarificante en aceite/mantecas es cierto?
    Tienen algún material bibliográfico o estudio que pueda revisar respecto a esto?
    Hello, I am aware that SILICA can also be used as a clarifying agent in oil/butter, is that true?
    Do you have any bibliographical material or study that I can review regarding this?

  • @studiojapfilms7305
    @studiojapfilms7305 4 роки тому

    Is there difference in adsorbing efficiency between the clear plastic, paper and cloth bags they come with? Like how can the moisture pass thru the clear plastic bags that some silica gels are packed in?

  • @Cblla
    @Cblla 2 роки тому +3

    If I'm being honest this video only made me want to eat it and see what happens

  • @ryanwhite154
    @ryanwhite154 10 років тому +2

    I use it to get the moisture out of my hearing aids :P

  • @AffordBindEquipment
    @AffordBindEquipment 5 років тому

    this seems to be good for use with items that are packaged or sealed off from the atmosphere. But I have seen people dry out wet cell phones with desiccant. How is that better than putting it in front of a fan? A fan will whisk off any water molecules that evaporate from the surface. Desiccant does not "extract" moisture, just absorbs it after it's come out of the item. A fan will move are into nooks and crannies the desiccant can't get to, moving the molecules out into open air.

  • @a1930ford
    @a1930ford 8 років тому

    I want to make water glass with silica jel and lye. How would one determine the quantity needed to make some fireplace bricks out of silica gel, lye and Vermiculite or Perlite?

  • @sklanman
    @sklanman 10 років тому +5

    I get a little pouch of the stuff every time I open a new hard drive at work. I've been throwing it out, but maybe I should be saving it and learn how to reuse it properly

    • @readyrepairs
      @readyrepairs 10 років тому +6

      you should eat it every time and see if you die. do it for science.

    • @nazgul_i
      @nazgul_i 4 роки тому

      readyrepairs You still life or did you try it ?

  • @tina-cz5lu
    @tina-cz5lu 8 років тому

    Is this the same as hydrated silica? Would u add these to water or? How much per gallon? would i use a food grade?

  • @wissiwizard4536
    @wissiwizard4536 9 років тому +4

    the background music! haha

  • @alinem2284
    @alinem2284 5 років тому

    How can we tell if it is saturated?
    I was wondering if salt shakers could have things like vitamin C caps inside.
    (I'm concerned about using the little bags and them opening and salt mixing with the silica).

  • @roybatty4427
    @roybatty4427 6 років тому

    Btw, if I load my biceps with silica gel, will they adsorb enough moisture to appear as full and amazing as Lauren’s thingies?

  • @fusiontricycle6605
    @fusiontricycle6605 5 років тому

    How often would you put the silica gel in the oven for?

  • @ajmalaju6275
    @ajmalaju6275 5 років тому +5

    Adsorption and absorption i know little surface chemistry

  • @vinayakgunjal4507
    @vinayakgunjal4507 3 роки тому

    Can we keep in grains to control moisture?

  • @sylviagarrity4118
    @sylviagarrity4118 5 років тому

    will it kill little bugs if you open it up and sprinkle it?

  • @rezvee.parvez
    @rezvee.parvez 5 років тому

    how to know that I should heat silica gel now for reuse?

  • @178snguyen
    @178snguyen 7 років тому

    Can it absorb through plastic? Like if you put it in a mini ziplock bag and then put that ziplock bag into whatever that you wanted to be dry. The ziplock bag is sealed

  • @ronaldzamora4292
    @ronaldzamora4292 Рік тому

    Does silica gel can prevent bad odor?

  • @jk-bf4nw
    @jk-bf4nw Рік тому

    Does it lose the humidity ?

  • @jl7986
    @jl7986 9 років тому +2

    Venice should probably invest in silica gel

  • @juliusdaviesd
    @juliusdaviesd 10 років тому +3

    I have a question, which I've always wondered about. How is silica gel useful, when its moisture adsorption properties get maxed out. I'm thinking, I have a keyboard at home in a flight case, I never use. So I stuffed some bags of silica gel in it. But how long are those (same) bags going to keep the electronics viably dry?

  • @Wandrng_drifter
    @Wandrng_drifter 5 років тому

    I used some rather big ones in a convertible sports car that I had cause the soft top leaked... never once had mold

  • @jayfulf
    @jayfulf 10 років тому +5

    The fact that silica gel can hold 40% of it's weight in water does not equate to 40% relative humidity. So my question is then where do you get this 40% relative humidity figure?

    • @DTDdeathmas
      @DTDdeathmas 10 років тому

      that is a good question.

    • @TheBetterGame
      @TheBetterGame 10 років тому

      Just coincidental numbers, based on it's ability to grab the molecules.

    • @DTDdeathmas
      @DTDdeathmas 10 років тому

      They just sounded odd.

    • @jayfulf
      @jayfulf 10 років тому +1

      Well the numbers have to be based on each other in some way and she even said thus when transitioning from the amount of water it can hold to the relative humidity it can achieve. Regardless, I don't see how you can conclude this 40% RH statement. RH changes with temperature, pressure etc.

    • @readyrepairs
      @readyrepairs 10 років тому

      because they put enough of it in there to absorb enough moisture to average out to whatever relative humidity they want. even if silica gel adsorbed 5%... if you put enough in there.. it would be able to reach 40%. derp.

  • @richardberlian819
    @richardberlian819 7 років тому

    How long does it take to heat it at 150 celcius to reuse them?

  • @sivaselvigunasekaran9499
    @sivaselvigunasekaran9499 5 років тому

    Informative. Thank you. For senior citizens and people with English as second language, little less speed of speaking will be immensely helpful, especially because you want to spread knowledge around the world. Will it also be possible to tweak down the back ground music? Thanks for. Your effort.

  • @ashtoncap2161
    @ashtoncap2161 3 роки тому

    Ok if i have a damp shoe and it stinks...can throwing in silica gel packets from my vitamin pills remove the smell?

  • @masterfubar23
    @masterfubar23 10 років тому

    yaaaaay more Lauren ^_^

  • @piratef2004
    @piratef2004 4 роки тому

    My friend opened one and she died and I keep finding them in my home

  • @CamerasdirectAustralia
    @CamerasdirectAustralia 8 років тому

    Cool =- how to make silica gel interesting !

    • @BrainStuffShow
      @BrainStuffShow  8 років тому

      +Cameras Direct ^___^ Thank you! /Lauren

  • @nahferals
    @nahferals 10 років тому

    Laauuuuurrrennnn....😘

  • @SeaBreeeze19
    @SeaBreeeze19 5 років тому

    I recognize this song from somewhere.... WHERE IS THAT SONG FROM?!?!

  • @PewLand
    @PewLand 4 роки тому +1

    I put them in my sealed ammo boxes to keep my .22lr ready for the zombie apocolypse lol

  • @pyrofful
    @pyrofful 7 років тому

    Preventing rust on weapons that you safely lock up and forget about moister!!!! Tip: put mimi cat litter in a stocking....or a coffee filter or tea bag and throw it on there with them. Cheap extra piece of mind

  • @rizzorizzo2311
    @rizzorizzo2311 Рік тому

    I use silica packs for my plant seeds so they don’t get moist in storage 😊

  • @selinas8039
    @selinas8039 3 роки тому

    can you use it to dehydrate fruits and vegetables?

  • @traveric3
    @traveric3 8 років тому +1

    Vogelbaum is German for BirdTree! Your name is adorable Lauren! :)

  • @marsh499
    @marsh499 3 роки тому

    There was a pocket in front of my pillow I've been sleeping here for months

  • @OOO00OO_ZERO_OO00OOO
    @OOO00OO_ZERO_OO00OOO 4 роки тому

    Nice shirt

  • @davidgallimore9656
    @davidgallimore9656 2 роки тому

    is this Damprid?

  • @i-is-charles8225
    @i-is-charles8225 4 роки тому

    First thing I thought of was Game Pidgeon Cup Pong

  • @youonlylove1PSN
    @youonlylove1PSN 9 років тому +3

    Is the s or c silent in the word scent?

  • @dlawlis
    @dlawlis 4 роки тому

    1:47 Do any of the other "less than awesome side effects" include hallucinations? Asking for a friend.

  • @annaw4551
    @annaw4551 9 років тому +2

    if your phone gets wet, instead of putting it in a bowl of rice, put it in a sandwich bag with a couple silica packets in it.

    • @felixthefox100
      @felixthefox100 5 років тому

      That makes sense! I hate it when my waterproof phone's at low battery and it says I can't charge it because there's still water in the charging port.

  • @imnotokay7yago588
    @imnotokay7yago588 2 роки тому

    But I still wonder how it's absorbing the moisture even though it's sealed in packet????

  • @nelsyeung
    @nelsyeung 4 роки тому

    I just wish that she actually explained: "How Does Silica Gel Work?". This video is more like how silica gel can be used.
    I don't know whether this is absolutely correct, but I don't believe just SO2 itself is actually in those little packets. I can't imagine how it can create any external forces that can attract water. It can only trap water inside the pores and not cause any attractions. Since those silica gels balls are inside a packet, just SO2 itself would be very ineffective. I believe you need another group, namely, the hydroxy (OH) group for those packets to be useful. The hydroxy group, which has a dangling hydrogen bond at the end of each oxygen on the surface on the gel, can explain all the desired property much better than just SO2. It can form hydrogen bond easily with water, so it's already much more efficient. More importantly, though, is that it can create van der Waals forces and dipole-dipole attractions with help to draw water towards the gel.

  • @darlenecupp1371
    @darlenecupp1371 5 років тому

    Okay one question has there ever been any long-term studies of silica being in our food or is there simply no studies being done because there's too much profit to be made?

    • @lt3880
      @lt3880 Рік тому

      if profit motive were a barrier we would never have got studies proving tabacco is a health hazard, among a list of other things

  • @kangaxx4396
    @kangaxx4396 2 роки тому

    Fitting to have a presenter with silicone

  • @gladysantonio7527
    @gladysantonio7527 3 роки тому

    what happens if you throw them in the sink

  • @shaliniyadav9976
    @shaliniyadav9976 5 років тому

    The transparent gel on pen is also silica gel .

  • @subliminalvibes
    @subliminalvibes 10 років тому +1

    Why do Android Apps take longer to develop?
    (I'd love to know, simply because I want the Test Tube App on my Nexus 5!)

    • @SenseiJae
      @SenseiJae 10 років тому

      theoretically, they don't. It has to do with variance in programming languages. The people who developed the iOS app were programming in either CS6 Flash or Cocoa, while many android apps are developed in Java. Differences in the languages can make it difficult to change a program from one system to the other.

    • @BrainStuffShow
      @BrainStuffShow  10 років тому +1

      I talked to our development team and they said the Android version is on the way! It may take a month or two. This could be a cool episode too so we'll add it to our list.

  • @chloeyen3077
    @chloeyen3077 3 роки тому

    Is Silica Gel biodegradable or safe in the environment? Like kitty litter? I’ve been getting mixed answers.

  • @nateel86
    @nateel86 3 роки тому

    m, cool

  • @sarwaralam7262
    @sarwaralam7262 6 років тому

    does silica gel contaminate water?,, let me clear my question..say u are going to drink a glass of water but stopped in the middle of the way when u see some silica gel balls in the water..now you tell your self?? what the heck?? silica gel does not dissolve in water..so what is wrong with drinking the water with out ingesting the silica gel..

  • @glasatv1463
    @glasatv1463 9 років тому

    I dound it in Anthibiotic

  • @arnoldasgrigutis7321
    @arnoldasgrigutis7321 5 років тому

    So how does it work?

  • @YuckYuck
    @YuckYuck 10 років тому +1

    Why do we sometimes feel like throwing up after a really hard workout?

    • @BrainStuffShow
      @BrainStuffShow  10 років тому

      Thanks Lax. I want to know the answer to this too! We'll look into it.

  • @homes24
    @homes24 7 років тому

    0:12 The answer to your question is because there both made out of the same thing lol

  • @lanadelreysvape
    @lanadelreysvape 5 років тому +1

    Im Dancing to the music because it’s the GamePigeon 8ball game love that
    🤠
    ✊🏻
    ✊🏻