Nature Cat | Is This Rock Amber? | PBS KIDS

TL;DR

The rock is genuine amber because it holds a static charge, has a faint pine scent, and floats in salt water. Houston verifies the sample with three tests, including a buoyancy test using one-quarter cup of salt and two cups of warm water. Read on to see how Daisy, Hal, and Nature Cat perform each test.

Transcript

But, how'll I ever know if this one is genuine amber? Daisy: Perhaps it's time to talk to a real, live expert. Squeeks: An expert you say? Like who? Daisy: Oh I have just the right person in mind. Houston: I have prepared three tests that will determine whether your sample is in fact, genuine amber. Houston: Now, to the first challenge. This is cal... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏆 Genuine amber can be identified through three tests: the Amber Static Electricity Test, the Amber Olfactory Test, and the Amber Salt Water Buoyancy Test.
• 👱 Static electricity is a property of genuine amber, as demonstrated by Daisy's hair standing up after rubbing the sample.
• 🕵️ The presence of a faint pine scent is an indicator of genuine amber, as detected by Hal.
• 💦 The Amber Salt Water Buoyancy Test is a conclusive test, as genuine amber will float in salt water.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can you test whether a rock is genuine amber?

Houston uses three checks: the Amber Static Electricity Test, the Amber Olfactory Test, and the Amber Salt Water Buoyancy Test. The sample holds a static charge, smells faintly of pine, and floats in salt water, so Houston identifies it as genuine amber.

Q: What is the Amber Static Electricity Test?

The test checks whether the sample can be charged with static electricity, a property of genuine amber. Daisy rubs the sample on her fur, and her hair stands vertically because the sample holds a static charge.

Q: How does the Amber Olfactory Test work?

The Amber Olfactory Test uses the sense of smell because some genuine amber samples emit a very faint pine scent. Hal smells notes of pine bark, pine needles, and pine tar in the sample.

Q: How does the Amber Salt Water Buoyancy Test identify amber?

Houston explains that real amber floats on salt water, while a sample that is not amber sinks. When Nature Cat places the sample on the salt water, it floats.

Q: How do you prepare the salt water for the amber buoyancy test?

Mix one-quarter cup of salt into two cups of warm water. Then place the sample onto the surface of the salt water and observe whether it floats or sinks.

Q: Who performs the three amber tests in Nature Cat?

Daisy rubs the sample on her fur for the static electricity test, and Hal smells it for the olfactory test. Nature Cat prepares the salt water and places the sample on its surface for the buoyancy test, while Houston directs the process.

Q: What happened during each test of the amber sample?

Daisy’s hair stood up after she rubbed the sample on her fur, showing that it held a static charge. Hal detected pine scents, and the sample floated when Nature Cat placed it in salt water.

Q: What was Houston’s final conclusion about the rock?

Houston concludes that the sample is 100% genuine amber. All three results support that conclusion: static charge, a faint pine scent, and flotation in salt water.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Daisy rubs the sample on her fur, causing her hair to stand up due to static electricity, confirming the sample holds a static charge.

• Hal identifies faint scents of pine bark, pine needles, and pine tar, indicating the presence of genuine amber.

• Nature Cat conducts the Amber Salt Water Buoyancy Test and observes that the sample floats, indicating it is genuine amber.