Salt Crystals: Do Negative Ions Emit?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the claims made about salt crystal lamps, specifically whether heating the salt can cause the emission of negative ions, which is purported to have health benefits. Participants explore the scientific validity of these claims, questioning the mechanisms involved and the credibility of the marketing behind such products.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the claim that negative ions are emitted from salt lamps when heated, suggesting it may be a marketing gimmick.
  • One participant mentions that heating can drive valence electrons out of atoms, but questions whether this process could lead to the separation of ions from the salt crystal.
  • Another participant notes that while heat can cause decomposition of the salt compound into ions, the temperatures required for this process are likely much higher than those produced by a light bulb.
  • Concerns are raised about the contradictory nature of using a light bulb, which emits electromagnetic waves, in a product claiming to negate the effects of such waves.
  • Some participants reference anecdotal experiences with the lamps, describing them as decorative but questioning their purported health benefits.
  • There is a mention of a report criticizing companies for making unsubstantiated health claims regarding these lamps, highlighting a lack of scientific backing.
  • Questions are posed about the definition and nature of "artificial electromagnetic waves," indicating confusion or skepticism about the terminology used in marketing these products.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express skepticism about the claims made regarding salt crystal lamps, with no consensus on the scientific validity of the claims. Multiple competing views and uncertainties remain regarding the mechanisms of ion emission and the effects of heating the salt.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note limitations in their understanding of the chemistry involved, particularly regarding the conditions necessary for ion emission and the effects of electromagnetic waves. There is also a recognition that the claims made by manufacturers lack concrete scientific evidence.

TalonD
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I'm not sure where this question belongs, maybe in chemistry? move it if necessary.
so the quest is this

I have a salt crystal lamp. it is a large block of salt on a wood base with a light bulb inside a hollow in the salt. the selling point of these lamps is that the heat from the lightbulb causes negative ions to be emitted from the salt. (suposedly a health benefit but I don't believe it) My question is, would a warm lamp inside a large salt crystal actually cause negative ions to be emitted from the salt? or is that just clever advertising to the sientifically illiterate public? by the way.. I didn't purchase it :P
 
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It sounds like nonsense.
 
Sounds like nonsense to me too, but I didn't know enough physics to say wheather or not negative ions could be driven off the salt crystal by heating it. admittedly only a warm to the touch heat.
 
Heating can drive valence electrons out of the atom and out of the material. Vacuum tubes are based on this principle. Ions are created, but they remain in the crystalline structure.
There is no way an ion could be separated from the material by the heat of a light bulb.
 
My sister got one of these a couple years ago as a Christmas gift from one of her FLAKY friends. At the time, the claim was something about it purifying the air or some silliness. On the upside, it's a pretty lamp. It gives a nice soft glow, like a candle, when lit. So, if you think it's worth the price for a decorative lamp, it works just fine as a lamp. As for cleaning the air or giving off any sort of ions...yep, gimmick for the gullible.
 
Salt Lamps

Salt Lamp sold by Crystalite Salt
CLAIM: Negative ions are produced when you heat the salt rock that removes harmful positive ions produced by artificial electromagnetic waves
REALITY: The representative could not answer specific questions and pointed the scientist to the internet. When the physicist contacted the 'Amazing Health' website for concrete evidence she was told to 'try one and see for yourself.'
Concluding their report the team said: "The Voice of Young Science network has published this snapshot to encourage more people, from all avenues of science and indeed walks of life, to take part in actively challenging misinformation."

Peter Atkins, chemistry professor at Oxford University said: "The public is well served by scientists prepared to spend time exposing scientific nonsense...they should be applauded for acting as warriors against claptrap."

edit...oops... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...-11-companies-making-false-health-claims.html

Anyone making claims about their product should really have a public relations officer or direct line to the research department for inquiries such as the one above. I've seen these lamps in offices and living rooms and... I really have to restrain my "inner voice" from belting out..."give me a break"!

Edit by Ivan: Merged with existing thread.
 
Last edited by a moderator:


Ive never even heard of this.

What exactly are "artificial electromagnetic waves"?
Fake light? Bogus radio signals?
 


TheMetalChick said:
Ive never even heard of this.

What exactly are "artificial electromagnetic waves"?
Fake light? Bogus radio signals?

Sorry I was unaware of an existing thread about this. I would still say that this sort of claim and many other unsubstantiated claims like it would do well to be in the product claims section of PF.

That said, something else occurred to me about this product and that was the fact that they are sticking a light bulb in the salt crystal that is supposed to be negating the effects of positive ions created by "artificial" electromagnetic waves (artificial?). The light bulb itself being a source of EMs. Hello? Slightly self-defeating?
 
TalonD said:
I'm not sure where this question belongs, maybe in chemistry? move it if necessary.
so the quest is this

I have a salt crystal lamp. it is a large block of salt on a wood base with a light bulb inside a hollow in the salt. the selling point of these lamps is that the heat from the lightbulb causes negative ions to be emitted from the salt. (suposedly a health benefit but I don't believe it) My question is, would a warm lamp inside a large salt crystal actually cause negative ions to be emitted from the salt? or is that just clever advertising to the sientifically illiterate public? by the way.. I didn't purchase it :P

With heat the compound does decompose to produce the respective ions - both positive and negative - however the amount of heat required corresponds to great temperatures. Even if the lamp is encased in the crystal the temperature may not suffice.

The compound first melts then instead of going into the gaseous state it decomposes into ions.

I am not certain if electromagnetic waves can cut of the individual ions from the bonding lattice - besides lasers. Unless there is some sort of quantum short cut the Hess steps need to be regarded. It has been a while since I had to deal with this stuff.
 

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