Salt Crystals: 03/03/2021

In class this week we were given the task to grow our own crystals. By conducting personal research I was able to gain a better understanding of the changes occurring as the crystals formed. It begins by creating a supersaturated solution; this is done by continually adding salt to water until no more salt can be dissolved. Once the water evaporates crystals are left behind. The formation of the crystal happens because once the water evaporates the molecules in the salt interlock, fitting together like puzzle pieces. They eventually form a lattice structure creating a crystal nucleus, as more salt molecules bond to this nucleus it expands and crystals begin to form. 

Materials:

Construction Paper

Water

Salt

Container and Spoon 

Tray or Plate

Egg Shape 

Experiment: I began by heating the water and adding large amounts of salt. Once the salt stopped dissolving I poured the solution onto the egg shaped cut out. After about five hours the water started to  evaporate, and salt crystals began to form. The pictures below are the results of my experiment. 

 Day 2

 Day 2

 Hour 3

Hour 5

 Hour 1