Crystals are chains of molecules that result when a liquid or gas becomes a solid.
You can crystallize salt at home very easily and inexpensively using items you probably already have around the house. If you are going to demonstrate how crystals are made for a school project, you might want to show the crystals in different stages of development. Start one batch and then wait until the crystals just begin to form, and then start . Wait a few more days until the water in the first batch is about half evaporated. Then make another batch in a third container. Continue this process until all of the water is evaporated from the original batch.
Instructions
1. Pour a 1/2 cup of hot water into your pan. Turn on the heat and set to high.
2. Take the temperature of the water after a minute or two. You need the water to reach 140 degrees F since you are using salt.
3. Add 1 cup of salt to the water a little at a time. Stir until the salt is dissolved. Stop adding salt when it won't dissolve any more.
4. Add 3 ounces of hot water from the tap. Continue to heat the water, stirring constantly until all of the salt is dissolved.
5. Turn off the stove and let the water cool until it reaches room temperature.
6. Pour the salt water into your clear glass container. Clear glass will give you a better view of the crystals once they form.
7. Tie about 8 inches of string to the middle of a pencil, pen or stick. At the other end of the string, tie a nut or washer to act as a weight.
8. Drop the weighted end of the string into the salted water and then rest the pencil, pen or stick on the edges of the container. This will keep the string suspended in the water.
9. Set your experiment aside uncovered so it won't be disturbed. A sunny window sill works best. Over the next several days or weeks, as the water begins to evaporate, you will see salt crystals beginning to form along the string.
Tags: another batch, into your, pencil stick, , salt water