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Module 1: Concept 1 Session 8

Cycle 2: How can we model solid molecules and extended structures?

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Session 8: Engage

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Materials

  • 1 cup of boiling water
  • 2 - 750 mL beaker
  • Sugar ( 2-3 cups)
  • Artificial Sugar (2-3 cups)

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Procedure

  • Boil 500 mL of water
  • Once water is boiling, split into two 750 mL beakers
  • Add sugar to one beaker and the artificial sugar to the other beaker
  • Continue adding the sugars to the beakers until no more dissolves
  • Remove beakers from hot plates
  • Cool beakers for 20 minutes
  • Pour solutions in to smaller jars
  • Set up rock candy apparatus

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Step 1

Boil 500 mL of Water

Beaker and 500 mL of Water

Hot Plate

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Step 2

Once water is boiling, split into two 750 mL beakers

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Step 3 and 4

  • Add sugar to one beaker and the artificial sugar to the other beaker
  • Continue adding the sugars to the beakers until no more dissolves

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Step 5 and 6

  • Remove beakers from hot plates
  • Cool beakers for 20 minutes
    • Note solution should be a yellow color

Beaker should be cooling for 20 minutes

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Step 7 and 8

  • Pour solutions in to smaller jars
  • Set up rock candy apparatus

Rock Candy Apparatus

Rock Candy Apparatus

Jars

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Results

Results can range. Our biggest formation of crystals has been at the surface of the water instead of on the solid medium immersed in the liquid.

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*Note: This image shows a pipe cleaner with crystals on the surface of the water. You will be using yarn. String, pipe cleaner, and wooden skewer all produced crystals on the top of the water instead of on the medium. The big takeaway is students see crystal growth from one of the substances. They are looking for properties of matter that allow us to differentiate between substances.