How to Examine Different Kinds of Salt Crystals
The term salt refers to the crystalline compounds that are formed from the neutralization of an acid by a base. Sodium chloride is the most familiar since it is commonly used to flavor food. The crystals of sodium chloride are box-like crystals. Potassium permanganate is used as a disinfectant. This salt has rhombic shaped crystals. Sodium bicarbonate is baking soda. These crystals are long and slender. Alum salts are used for picking. These have octahedron shaped crystals. Different kinds of salt crystals can be examined using a low-powered lens of a microscope.
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Instructions
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Sample Preparation
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1
Make a supersaturated solution of salt by stirring salt into hot water until the salt begins to collect on the bottom of the beaker.
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2
Place a few drops of the supersaturated solution of salt on a microscope slide with an eye dropper.
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3
Set the slide in a warm place to dry for 10 minutes.
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4
Place the slide on the stage of the microscope under the stage clips, so that the salt crystals are directly over the hole in the stage.
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5
Adjust the light under the stage until a soft glow of light is visible through the slide.
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6
Look through the eyepiece and focus the low powered objective lens using the course focus knob. The crystal shape will be visible.
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7
Adjust the amount of light using the diaphragm. The crystal surfaces will reflect light.
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8
Determine the type of crystal by the shape and color.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use a cover slip since this would prevent evaporation and crystal formation.
References
Resources
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