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Dorling Kindersley Science Encyclopedia Work/Review Sheets
CRYSTALS - RELATED ACTIVITY
This tasty crystal making experiment is a great way to see the formation of crystals almost right in front of your eyes.
NOTE: Adult supervision is advised for children under 14 years of age due to use of boiling liquids.
prep-time, about a 30minutes
experiment completion can take up to 10-14 days
(first signs of crystal formation usually show up after a couple of days to one week)
MATERIALS:
medium saucepan
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
(additional 1/2 cup of sugar)
one clean glass jar
(pint canning jars are best, but a medium jelly, canning or peanut butter jar is good)
1 clean thin wooden dowel long enough to reach 2 or 3 inches into the solution and stick out of the top*, taped in place - see illustration "A"
(a clean wooden chopstick or clean wooden shish-ke-bob skewer with the point dulled would work)
OR a length of clean string taped to a pencil & long enough to reach 2 or 3 inches into the solution (a small clean washer, paperclip or button may be tied to the bottom of the string first, then tape the string to the pencil. You can adjust the length of string by rolling the pencil. Set it across the jar top so that it is just long enough to hold the string (and the weight) above the bottom of the jar*, tape in place. - see "B") *(it must NOT touch the bottom or side of the jar)
1 square of plastic wrap big enough to cover the top of the jar
*Optional: 2 or 3 drops of food coloring or flavoring (peppermint, lemon, vanilla, cherry extract, etc.)
DIRECTIONS:
Prep: Set your empty jar(s) in a separate shallow pan of hot water to warm them (this will help avoid breakage when the sugar syrup is poured into them).
Bring the water to a boil in the saucepan (add food coloring an d flavoring if desired). Add the 2 cups of sugar, stirring
until it is fully dissolved. Return to a boil, then remove from heat. Add additional sugar one tablespoon at a time, stirring
until you can no longer get it to dissolve (there may be a little in the bottom of the pan). Let the mixture cool about 5 min.
Have an adult pour the liquid into the canning jar, with the stick or string in place. (see "A" or "B")
After the mixture has cooled, cover the top of the jar with the square of plastic wrap & set it aside where it will not be
disturbed, but preferably where you can see it. Resist the urge to move or touch it!
After several days you should begin to see the fruits of your labor as crystals of sweet treat form. When you stop seeing any more crystals form (usually after about 7-10 days), it is time to get your mouth watering & remove the crystal beauties from the jar. Cut the weight from the bottom of your string & "Voìla!" ROCK CANDY! Science sure can be tasty stuff!!
NOTE: We tripled this recipe and had enough for four jars. We also added the food coloring and flavoring directly to the jars prior to adding the sugar syrup. We had a lot of crystal formation on the jar bottoms and sides, making removal of the strings and sticks difficult, but it was still tasty!
What more can you say about MATTER now?________________________________________________________________________________
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Matter10 ©1999-2000 Sassafrass Grove Homeschool
NOTE: These work/review/related-activity sheets are for use with the DK Science Encyclopedia as a 12 part science study. The first portion of the initial section, "Matter" is presented here. More will be added as time permits. If you find errors or see need for additions, please contact us at the e-mail address provided at the bottom of this page.
This site and these worksheets are in no way associated with nor endorsed by Dorling Kindersley.
©1999 S.A.McUmber-House, Sassafrass Grove - all rights reserved
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