| Free homeschooling can be an innovative way to | | | | Trial and Error If the solute is less than required, |
| teach your kid about the world around. Before we | | | | the crystals will take a very long time to form. |
| begin our cool crystal experiment, let's learn the | | | | On the other hand, if you add too much of the |
| basics of crystal growing (using salt as an | | | | solute, the whole solution will crystallize into one |
| example). The same rules would apply when you | | | | solid rock, making it difficult for you to remove |
| grow sugar, alum or other crystals. | | | | the crystals out of the jar. |
| Saturated Solution: Take 3 cups of water | | | | Therefore you need some practice and |
| (solvent) in a heat-resistant glass vessel and add a | | | | experience in order to arrive at the right amount |
| few spoons of salt (solute) to it. Stir the solution | | | | of solute and the right amount of solvent. All |
| till all the salt dissolves. Now keep on adding one | | | | home school schedules, including free |
| spoonful of salt at a time while you stir the | | | | homeschooling, allows you enough time so that |
| solution. You will find that after a particular point | | | | you can learn at your own pace. So if your |
| of saturation, the salt refuses to dissolve, leaving | | | | solution doesn't turn out right, you will need to |
| some crystals at the bottom. This solution is called | | | | have some patience and do some research. |
| a saturated solution. | | | | Now on to our Cool Crystal Candy experiment... |
| Super Saturated Solution: Now heat this solution | | | | First you will have to make a super saturated |
| and continue to stir it. You will see that the salt | | | | solution of sugar (as discussed above). For this, |
| crystals begin to dissolve. Continue adding more | | | | boil about three cups of water in a pot and add 5 |
| salt till you come to a point where the salt no | | | | cups of sugar to it. Stir till the sugar melts |
| longer dissolves. This solution is called a super | | | | completely. Now add one more cup of sugar and |
| saturated solution. Whether you are into free | | | | stir. Continue till the sugar no longer dissolves. |
| homeschooling or not, you will have to make a | | | | The liquid should turn yellowish and thick. Cool the |
| super saturated solution in order to grow crystals. | | | | solution and add your favorite color to it. Now |
| Aiding Crystal Formation Don't you need a little | | | | pour the solution into a few clean glass jars. Tie |
| push in order to drink your milk and eat your | | | | as many strings as the number of jars to a |
| vegetables? The super saturated solution also | | | | knitting needle or a skewer and place the knitting |
| needs a little push in order to begin the crystal | | | | needle horizontally across the mouths of the jars |
| growing process. If you introduce a rough object | | | | with the strings dipping in the sugar solution. |
| such as a stick or a rock into the solution, the | | | | Observe the crystal formation daily. You will see |
| crystals begin to grow on them. You can also | | | | crystals forming around the strings within 24 |
| introduce a "seed" or a grain of salt (in this case) | | | | hours. As days pass by, you will notice beautiful |
| into the super saturated solution, and the crystals | | | | colored crystal formation: your cool crystal candy. |
| will start forming by clumping to the seed. | | | | Pull them out of the solution when you are |
| Crystals form faster in hot and dry climate, and | | | | satisfied with the thickness of the crystal growth |
| slower in cool and humid climate. Keeping your | | | | and allow a day to dry. Now you can enjoy your |
| solution in a warm place will make them grow | | | | rock candy! |
| faster. | | | | |