Rock Crystal Instructions for Kids
It is possible for kids to grow rock crystals, also known as rock candy, at home. This experiment results in a tasty treat and also is appropriate for a science project for school. Making rock crystals requires a couple of hours, so plan ahead to have enough time for the project.
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Gather Materials
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The main materials to make rock crystals are sugar, water, a pot, a stirring spoon, a stick of some kind, such as a skewer or a Popsicle stick, and a jar. You'll also need a lid for the jar. Food coloring is optional for the project.
Boil Water and Sugar
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Put one cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar on the stove to boil, stir the sugar into the water to make it dissolve. Add in a few drops of food coloring if you like. Continue to boil the mixture until it becomes a "hard ball" syrup or the temperature reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the mixture from the heat.
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Starting the Crystals
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Pour the syrup mixture into a glass container and then dip the stick into it. Remove the stick and let the stick dry while the syrup starts to cool. This will create the seed crystals on the stick to start the growth of rock crystals. Cover the container while it cools to prevent crystal formation while the stick dries.
Growing the Crystals
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Remove the lid from the glass container. Cut a hole in the lid just big enough to hold the stick firmly in place. Then put the lid back on the container; insert the stick so that it ends up in the middle of the syrup and above the bottom of the glass container. Wayne's This and That suggests putting it at least 1 inch above the bottom of the container. Watch the crystals start to grow.
Remove the Stick
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After about half an hour to an hour, the stick should be removed and allowed to drain of syrup and dry. The syrup will be hot when it is first removed, and the drying and draining process takes a few hours. Place the crystal candy over a cup to allow draining. While some suggest waiting a week or more before removing the candy, Wayne's This and That points out that waiting too long can cause the crystals to get stuck to the glass container.
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References
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