Chemistry can be a boring and dry subject to many. Often, its abstract concepts are hard to grasp and the everyday applications hard to see. However, a simple experiment using everyday kitchen materials can bring tough concepts, such as crystallization, to life for even the most anti-science person. One such kitchen experiment, easy enough for a child to do with supervision, is growing edible sugar crystals.
Instructions
1. Prepare the jar. Cut a clean piece of string long enough to tie around the stick and dangle 2/3 of the way to the bottom of the jar. Wet the string and roll it in sugar to create "seed crystals" for the larger crystals to grow on. Tie it onto the stick and place the stick over the mouth of the jar, letting the string dangle in the jar.
2. Create a supersaturated sugar solution. You need twice as much sugar as water. Heat the sugar and water over low heat until the sugar dissolves.
3. Increase the heat until the mixture boils. Stir the solution constantly until it begins to boil and then allow it to boil without stirring for a minute.
4. Pour the sugar solution slowly into the jar. If your jar is not made of tempered glass, such as a canning jar or a Pyrex container, warm the glass with hot water to prevent it from cracking due to the quick change in temperature.
5. Place the jar in a well lit, warm area and allow it to sit undisturbed for several days. The longer it sits, the larger the crystals will grow. Once the crystals reach the desired size, removed the string, examine your crystals and enjoy.
Tags: heat until, larger crystals, sugar solution, sugar water