Big Crystals By: Olivia Kiser

Big Question Which salt will grow the largest crystals? What of 4 types of salt will grow the largest.

Hypothesis If salt crystals are grown with all natural ingredients, then they will become larger than crystals grown from salts with added chemicals. When we add non-natural ingredients (chemicals) to salts it changes their ability for the crystals to grow fast and large. If salts are left natural, like sea salt, they will produce the best crystals.

Fun Facts! Epsom Salt is what they use to soak in the tub with. Ice Melting Salt is what you use to melt the the ice on the drive way. Sea Salt repairs the internal body. Table Salt is mainly what you put on your food. Sodium vapor lamps were first used in Europe in 1933. They were used to light a highway. The scientific symbol for sodium---Na. Sodium is the 6th most plentiful element on Earth.

Experiment Materials Needed: Marker Masking Tape String or Yarn Four Paper Clips Four Tall Clear Glasses Epsom Salt Seat Salt Scissors and Spoon Four Pencils Table Salt Ice Melting Salt Boiling Water

Experiment - Instructions Use marker and masking tape to label each glass. Cut four pieces of string, 6 inches long, tie one end of string to the middle of pencil and the other end of the string to the paper clip. Pour boiling water into the glasses, 3/4 full, and quickly start pouring salts into the boiling water while stirring with a spoon. Keep adding salts until they no longer dissolve, at this time you will see salts gathering at the bottom of the glass when this happens. Take pencil and paper clips (from point #2) and lay the pencil across the top of each glass, lowering the paper clip into the glass but not touching the bottom. Keep a log of the date and time you started the experiment and this will be the time you will check the progress each day for one to two weeks. Every day take out each string and note any color changes, shape and length of crystals.

Experiment - Variables Sea Salt Epsom Salt Ice Melting Salt Table Salt

Observations Day 1- Ice Melting Salt turned water dirty- Epsom Salt kept water clear and made water rise- Table Salt made water cloudy at the beginning and clearer later- Sea Salt was a little cloudy Day 2- Ice Melting Salt made dust- Sea Salt crystals stuck to the side of the glass- Table Salt frayed string- Epsom did nothing Day 3- Nothing Day 4- Table Salt started growing- Sea Salt started Day 5- Sea Salt grew a little- Table Salt grew Day 6- Sea Salt grew a lot- Table Salt grew big time- Epsom Salt grew on the edges Day 7- Sea Salt grew some crystals on the edges- Table Salt grew crystals on the pencil

Analysis of Data My lab did not test my hypothesis because it was true. I know because of my daily observations of growth.

Conclusion My hypothesis was correct because the sea salt grew the largest crystals. If I could change anything about the experiment I would try a taller container with a longer yarn and a plastic paper clip. If I were to put food coloring in the water would it effect the growth?

References A True Book Sodium Great Science Project Ideas Melting, Freezing, and Boiling Super Science Connections Yikes! Wow! Yuck!

COOL PIX!