How to Crack a Marble

Cracking a marble requires of ice water and a cooking stove.

If you've ever noticed those shiny cracked marbles in an arts and crafts shop, chances are you've overlooked the scientific process used in making them. Cracked marbles -- commonly referred to as crackled or fried marbles -- are created through a process called "thermal shock." Thermal shock involves heating and cooling down the marbles rapidly. This causes each marble to expand and contract at a rapid rate, which puts stress on each marble causing it to crack.

Things You'll Need

• Five-gallon bucket
• Water
• Ice
• Marbles
• Safety goggles
• Cast iron skillet

Instructions

1. Fill a five-gallon bucket with two parts cold water and one part ice. Put on a pair of safety goggles, or similar protective eyewear

2. Pour a batch of marbles into a cast iron skillet. Place the skillet on gas or electric stove burner. Set the heat to medium, and let the marbles heat for about 15 minutes.

3. Turn off of the oven, remove the skillet from the burner and carefully pour the marbles into your ice bucket. Leave the marbles in the bucket until the ice melts completely.

4. Empty the water from the bucket to reveal your cracked marbles.

References

• University of Illinois: Marble Thermal Shock
• American Toy Marbles: Crackled Marbles