Crystals - Science

 In Science, we did another experiment and it's basically called crystallization. First, we have to be in a group and get the equipment but we also have to discuss some safety facts first before we try making the experiment on our own.

Equipment- Beaker, Heat mat, Tripod, Spatula, Gauze mat, Bunsen Burner, Borax, Pipe Cleaner. 

Method- Boil water in a beaker on a Gauze mat and Tripod over a Bunsen Burner. When boiled turn the gas off. Add spatula heaps of Borax, waiting for it to dissolve until adding more. When the solution is saturated, leave to cool with a pipe cleaner suspended in the beaker. 

Cleaning up - Make sure all the heating equipment goes in the bottom tray and the glassware and spatula are in the top tray. Wait for the equipment to cool before touching it.

Aim: What was the purpose of crystallization? The impure solid is dissolved in the solvent, then the solution is heated to evaporate most of the solvent. The hot solution is allowed to cool, then the solid appears as a pure crystal. The crystals may be dried by pressing them, between sheets of filter paper.

Results: Pictures and observations of what happened. 

Conclusion: Explain what is going on in the crystallization process. Use the following keywords: Dissolving, solute, solvent, soluble, diluted, concentrated, crystallization, separation.

Choose a suitable solvent. Common considerations included how much solute can be dissolved (solubility) and how convenient it is to handle the solvent (safety ). Dissolve the product in the solvent by increasing the temperature until all of the solids in the product are dissolved. Insoluble impurities can be filtered off from the hot solution. Reduce solubility by cooling, evaporation or reaction. The solution becomes over-saturated. The product crystallizes. As the solubility is decreased, a point is reached where the crystals nucleate and then grow. Highly pure product of crystals must form.

Discussion: Where is crystallization useful in the real world? Why do crystals make interesting shapes? The most practical crystallization is to crystallize borax/salt, and it is still the most economical method of salt production today. Other uses of this technology included compound purification and crystal manufacturing. A crystal is a solid material in which atoms are arranged in a regular geometric pattern. The crystal form is the external expression of the internal atomic structure of the mineral rules. Temperature, pressure, chemical conditions, and available space are some of the factors that affect growth.