Gypsum Facts
Gypsum Facts
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| Interesting Gypsum Facts: |
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| The word gypsum is derived from the Greek word gypsos which means chalk or plaster. |
| Gypsum has five basic forms: selenite, satin spar, alabaster, rock gypsum, and gypsite. |
| The most common form of gypsum is rock gypsum. |
| There is a large sand dune in New Mexico made of gypsum sand. |
| Because gypsum contains water molecules, it can be easily hydrated and dehydrated making it very versatile. |
| Gypsum is a main ingredient in plaster of Paris which is used to make casts and sculptures. |
| Benjamin Franklin introduced the mining of gypsum to the US. |
| Gypsum was used by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians for a variety of uses such as making sculptures and for mortar in pyramids. |
| The Plaster War was fought in the 1800s to allow farmers to legally transport gypsum to use as a fertilizer. |
| Some of the largest gypsum crystals ever found were in Mexico and weighed 55 tons. |
| Gypsum has been discovered on Mars which further proves that water could exist on the planet. |
| The White Sands National Monument is the largest gypsum sand dune and can be seen from outer space. |
| Gypsum is used to make cement and paint fillers. |
| Gypsum is great in gardening because it reduces the salt content of the soil while also adding other nutrients. |
| Gypsum is so soft that you could scratch it with your fingernail. |
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