Science Experiment
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Graphite as a Lubricant
Adult Help and Supervision required. CAUTION: Do not breathe in dust created from this experiment.
What you will need:
- A number two pencil
- A razor knife or precision knife
- Some pliers
- Something to crush graphite (mortar and pedestal, the side of a knife, something heavy and solid)
- A cutting board
- A paper plate
Instructions:
1. With the cutting board on the counter, set the paper plate on top of it. Put the number two pencil on the paper plate.
2. With the help of an adult, grab the number two pencil with the plier in your secondary hand. With the dominant hand grab the razor knife.
3. Make a slice with the razor knife in the pencil about an 1/8th inch deep on top the long ways.
4. Flip the pencil over and make the same cut as above with the razor knife on the other side.
5. Carefully pry the two sides of the pencil apart revealing a stick of graphite. It is okay if the graphite breaks.
6. Place the graphite on the paper plate or in the mortar and pedestal.
7. Crush the graphite.
8. After removing the knife or removing graphite from mortar and pedestal, touch it with your finger and thumb.
9. Rub it between the fingers.
10.
What you will learn:
If you don't want to throw out the graphite, you can put the graphite on that squeaky door hinge. In the door hardware industry, it is known as a dry lube. Graphite is also sold in powder form at most hardware stores.