Hurumanu - Crystals

Aim: To learn about a saturated solution and how to make crystals

Crystal video

Definition of solution: 

A liquid mixture, when something is dissolved into a liquid (eg: sugar in water) 

Definition of saturated: 

Having or holding as much as can be absorbed of something (when no more sugar or borax can be dissolved into the water)

In groups of three you will make three different types of crystals and compare the results.

Borax Crystals

Ratio: 3 Tablespoons Borax per 1/2 cup water

Materials

1) Pipe cleaners

2) String 

3) Pegs

4) Borax

5) Cups

6) Sugar

7) Salt

8) Mixing sticks

Process

Step 1: Shape pipe cleaners into star shapes.

Step 2: Hang star on a peg

Step 3: Make up borax solution

Step 4: Label your cups 

Step 5: Add the borax into one cup. 

Step 6: Add warm water into the cup and mix   

Step 7: Tie string onto the stick and place it into the cup

Step 8: Leave it alone for a week or more and then come back and see whats changed

Sugar Crystals

Ratio: 1 cup sugar to 1/2 cup water

Materials

1) Sugar

2) String

3) Water

4) Cup

5) Mixing stick

Process

Step 1: Get a cup and Label it

Step 2: Add the sugar into the cup

Step 3: Add the warm water and mix

Step 4: Tie a string around the stick 

Step 5: Place the Popsicle stick with the string and put it into the cup 

Step 6: Leave it alone for a week or more and then come back and see whats changed.

Salt Crystals

Ratio: 4 Tablespoons salt to 1/2 cup water

Materials

1) Salt

2) Cup 

3) Water

4) String

5) Mixing stick

Process

Step 1: Get a cup and label it

Step 2: Add the salt into the cup

Step 3: Add the warm water and mix

Step 4: Tie string around the Popsicle stick

Step 5: Place the Popsicle stick with the string into the cup 

Step 6: Leave it alone for a week or more and then come back and see whats changed

Conclusion:

Today in science we did a experiment called crystals. This time in science, I was in a group with Janel, Bailey, Khaylanie and Keyana. We had to get three cups and add borax, Sugar and salt in each one, then add the warm water and mix with a Popsicle stick. After that we tied a string onto the stick and placed it into the cups with Sugar and salt. Then we had to leave it at school for two weeks and see whats changed when we come back. 

Findings

Describe your crystals in the table below.

Crystal Type	Shape (Describe the shape)	Size (of individual crystals)	Hardness (Crumbly to Rock Hard)
Borax	Acute	Small
Sugar	Acute	Small
Salt	Acute	Small

Type	Explanation
Salt	Salt is formed by the evaporation of salty water (such as sea water)
Sugar	Sugar is made from raw sugar and is also from sugarcane or sugar beet.
Snowflakes	A snowflake is formed when a droplet of cold water freezes.

7 different crystal shapes

The 7 types of crystals

Type	Number of sides	Picture	2 EXAMPLES
Monoclinic	6		Mica Azurita
Hexagonal	8		Tourmaline Quartz
Cubic	6		Copper Fluorite
Tetragonal	12		Zircon Chalcopyrite
Orthorhombic	4		Olivine Barite