Crystal growing

A comprehensive guide to start your experiment.

by

Omar Reyes

Preparing the seeds

• Get a beaker, or Erlenmeyer flask and pour a few grams (about 25) of Potassium Alum into the container.

• Stir the solution, and heat up until it is dissolved.

• Make sure to heat up the solution up to about 45 C. If you don’t have any powder on the bottom, add some more to make sure that your solution is saturated.

Tips for seeds (1)• This is equipment that is

not required, but certainly helpful.

• A hot plate, a magnetic stirrer, and an Erlenmeyer flask.

• Filter your solution to get rid of any dust, and always use distilled water.

Tips for seeds (2)

• For bigger seeds try to insulate the container as it cools.

• A longer cooling period will result in bigger seeds.

• The more insulated the container is the longer the cooling period.

• We suggest using foam.

Example of what the beaker of seeds should look like

Steps for Students

Preparing a saturated solution. (1)

• Label your bottles to prevent any mix up.

• Get distilled water, pour 400 ML of water onto a beaker, or plastic bottle.

• Pour Potassium Alum in small amounts while stirring.

• When you can no longer dissolve any more alum, filter the solution onto another beaker.

Preparing a saturated solution. (2)

• After the initial 400 ML of solution prepare solution in amounts as needed.

• Keep the crystals from the filter after you pour the saturated solution into another container. These crystals can be used on the next badge of saturated solution.

Taking care of your crystal.

• Keep it covered to prevent dust getting into your solution.

• Keep your crystal submerged in the solution at all times.

• When the solution level drops, add more saturated solution.

Attaching crystals. (1)

• Use a copper wire• Glue the seed onto

the end of the copper wire.

• You can glue the wire onto the bottom of the beaker, or bend the wire in such a way so that it will stand.

Attaching crystals. (2)

• Drop a seed onto the bottom of the beaker.

• The crystal may be judged on shape, if this is the case then the crystal will not grow in a good shape.

Attaching crystals. (3)

• Suspend the crystal.• Dental floss is

recommended since potassium alum will not react with it.

• Use a straw, or pencil to tie the dental floss.