pHantom Messages
Materials
Chemicals
| Chemical Name | Amount Used |
| Turmeric powder | ½ teaspoon |
| Hand sanitizer | 2–3 mL |
| Sodium carbonate (or baking soda / sodium hydroxide) | 22 g in 100 mL of water |
| Distilled water | As needed |
Equipments
| Equipment Name | Number of Items |
| Filter paper | 1 sheet |
| Paint brushes | 2 (or 1 if rinsed between uses) |
| Small containers | 2 |
| Stirrer or spoon | 2 |
| Airstream or area to dry | Optional |
Cup 1 — Prepare the Indicator Solution
Place ½ teaspoon of turmeric into a small container. Add 2–3 mL of hand sanitizer into the container.
Use a stirrer or spoon to mix until fully combined.
Cup 2 — Prepare the Invisible Ink
Create the sodium carbonate solution by dissolving 22 g of sodium carbonate in 100 mL of distilled water
in a small container. Mix using a stirrer or spoon until fully dissolved.
Experiment
- Write your secret message
Dip a paintbrush into the sodium carbonate solution and write or draw on the filter paper.
Avoid overlapping strokes or oversaturating the paper. - Dry the paper
Let the paper air dry completely or place it near an airstream for quicker drying. - Reveal the secret message
Dip a clean paintbrush into the turmeric and hand sanitizer solution. Paint the solution over the dry
filter paper and watch the hidden message appear!