Liquid Chalk
Encyclopedia
The term liquid chalk refers to several substances, in relation to dry, powdery chalk
:
Despite the term using the word "chalk", there might be no actual chalk within some forms of "liquid chalk" mixtures.
(see: Magnesium carbonate
) used to improve grip for sports such as rock climbing
, weight lifting, or gymnastics
. It is preferred by some athletes because it remains effective longer and leaves less residue on rocks and equipment.
Uses
Rock climbers use liquid chalk to prevent their hands from sweating in situations where normal chalk or pof are inadequate. In particular:
In other sports, it may not make much sense to use liquid chalk, because rechalking can be done more easily between sets or rounds. However, some gyms require liquid chalk because it leaves less residue on equipment.
, colophony and ethanol
or some other alcohol
which dissolves colophony and evaporates fast enough from the solution (as isopropyl alcohol
or methanol
). Sometimes, an additive for aroma is included, because of the bad smell of spirit.
Chalk
Chalk is a soft, white, porous sedimentary rock, a form of limestone composed of the mineral calcite. Calcite is calcium carbonate or CaCO3. It forms under reasonably deep marine conditions from the gradual accumulation of minute calcite plates shed from micro-organisms called coccolithophores....
:
- liquid-chalk marking pens (with water-soluble ink);
- liquid-chalk mixtures for rock climbingRock climbingRock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
; and - liquid-chalk hobby-craft paints made of cornstarchCornstarchCorn starch, cornstarch, cornflour or maize starch is the starch of the corn grain obtained from the endosperm of the corn kernel.-History:...
and food coloringFood coloringFood coloring is a substance, liquid or powder, that is added to food or drink to change its color. Food coloring is used both in commercial food production and in domestic cooking...
(some with small amounts of flourFlourFlour is a powder which is made by grinding cereal grains, other seeds or roots . It is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many cultures, making the availability of adequate supplies of flour a major economic and political issue at various times throughout history...
).
Despite the term using the word "chalk", there might be no actual chalk within some forms of "liquid chalk" mixtures.
Marking pens with liquid chalk
Some liquid-chalk marking pens come in sets of multiple markers, such as 8 vivid colors.Sports
Liquid chalk can be a variation of the normal chalkChalk
Chalk is a soft, white, porous sedimentary rock, a form of limestone composed of the mineral calcite. Calcite is calcium carbonate or CaCO3. It forms under reasonably deep marine conditions from the gradual accumulation of minute calcite plates shed from micro-organisms called coccolithophores....
(see: Magnesium carbonate
Magnesium carbonate
Magnesium carbonate, MgCO3, is a white solid that occurs in nature as a mineral. Several hydrated and basic forms of magnesium carbonate also exist as minerals...
) used to improve grip for sports such as rock climbing
Rock climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
, weight lifting, or gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
. It is preferred by some athletes because it remains effective longer and leaves less residue on rocks and equipment.
Uses
Rock climbers use liquid chalk to prevent their hands from sweating in situations where normal chalk or pof are inadequate. In particular:
- BoulderingBoulderingBouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad so that a fall will not result in serious injury. It is typically practiced on large natural boulders or artificial boulders in gyms and outdoor urban areas...
- some bouldering problems take longer than normal chalk can hold, so in these cases liquid chalk can be used. - Competition - in competition climbing every hold counts, so using liquid chalk may allow competitive climbers to take fewer chalk breaks, leading to a better result.
- IndoorIndoor climbingIndoor Climbing is an increasingly popular form of rock climbing performed on artificial structures that attempt to mimic the experience of outdoor rock.Competetive indoor climbing is also called sport climbing....
- due to the powder dusts caused by the use of chalk, pure Magnesium carbonate is forbidden in many gyms. However, most gyms still allow chalk balls and liquid chalk. - OutdoorSport climbingSport climbing is a form of rock climbing that relies on permanent anchors fixed to the rock, and possibly bolts, for protection,...
- chalk or pof deposits on natural rock formations are considered ecologically harmful and in many climbing locations, the use of chalk or pof for climbing is strictly forbidden. Where chalk is allowed, environmentally conscious climbers may choose to use liquid chalk because it allows them to use less chalk, thereby causing less damage.
In other sports, it may not make much sense to use liquid chalk, because rechalking can be done more easily between sets or rounds. However, some gyms require liquid chalk because it leaves less residue on equipment.
Ingredients
Some liquid-chalk mixtures for climbing are made with magnesium carbonateMagnesium carbonate
Magnesium carbonate, MgCO3, is a white solid that occurs in nature as a mineral. Several hydrated and basic forms of magnesium carbonate also exist as minerals...
, colophony and ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
or some other alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
which dissolves colophony and evaporates fast enough from the solution (as isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is a common name for a chemical compound with the molecular formula C3H8O. It is a colorless, flammable chemical compound with a strong odor...
or methanol
Methanol
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH . It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor very similar to, but slightly sweeter than, ethanol...
). Sometimes, an additive for aroma is included, because of the bad smell of spirit.
See also
- Glossary of climbing termsGlossary of climbing termsThis page describes terms and jargon related to climbing and mountaineering.-A:American death triangle : An anchor which is created by connecting a closed loop of cord or webbing between two points of protection, and then suspending the rope from a carabiner clipped to only one strand of said anchor...
- ClimbingRock climbingRock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
- BoulderingBoulderingBouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad so that a fall will not result in serious injury. It is typically practiced on large natural boulders or artificial boulders in gyms and outdoor urban areas...
- Magnesium carbonateMagnesium carbonateMagnesium carbonate, MgCO3, is a white solid that occurs in nature as a mineral. Several hydrated and basic forms of magnesium carbonate also exist as minerals...