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A Blue Indicator That Turns Pink

Anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride is blue, while its hydrated form is pink. That is why cobalt indicator cards change color when moisture is present. A solution of the salt has also been used as “invisible ink”: a nearly invisible mark turns blue as it dries or is warmed. The change is reversible, but the substance is hazardous; do not use it for home experiments.

AI-generated illustration; synthetic image, not a real photograph.