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How do sugar crystals Form?
How do sugar crystals Form?
Sugar crystals are formed as a result of a supersaturated solution. A supersaturated solution contains more sugar than could be dissolved in water under normal conditions.
In a saturated solution, the sugar molecules have a higher chance of bumping into one another because there is less space to move around. When this happens, the sugar molecules start sticking together.
When you give the sugar molecules something to cling too (in this case the string), they form into crystals faster. The more molecules bump into each other, the bigger the sugar crystals get. The bigger the crystals are, the more they pull other sugar molecules toward them, making even bigger crystals.
Molecules bind together following orderly and repetitive patterns, so eventually, you’re left with visible sugar crystal patterns in your jar. Read on to find out how to grow sugar crystals.
Materials needed:
Materials needed:
Saucepan and stove
1 cup water
4 cups sugar
String
Jars (or any similar container/cup)
Straws (or anything similar you can substitute)
Food coloring (optional)
Note: This project does take several days, so be sure to also set aside a space where your project can sit without being disturbed and where you can periodically check on its progress!
How to Make Sugar Crystals
How to Make Sugar Crystals
STEP 1. The day before starting your sugar crystal experiment, cut a piece of string a little longer than your jars. Tie one end of the string to a straw. Tie a knot in the other end.
Get the strings wet and coat them in sugar. Let them dry overnight.
STEP 2. The following day add four cups of sugar and one cup of water to a saucepan and heat until boiling. This will form your supersaturated solution.
Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved but be careful not to heat the sugar so much that it starts to turn into caramel. Keep the temperature right at 210 degrees.
Remove the sugar from the heat.
STEP 3. Pour your sugar mixture into the jars. Add edible food coloring to each jar if you have.
STEP 4. Lower the string into the jar with the straw resting across the opening on top. Place the jars in a safe place where they won't be disturbed.
Let the sugar crystals form for at least 4-5 days. You can check the progress daily by looking into the jar, but avoid lifting the string out of the sugar-water solution.
Once the sugar crystals are as big as you want them, remove them from the sugar solution. Lay them on a paper towel or plate and let them dry for several hours. When the sugar crystals are dry, inspect them closely, or with a magnifying glass if you have one! Can you see the individual crystals and where they join together? Do you think it would look different even more up close under a microscope?
Be sure to clean up all of your materials and then you can enjoy your delicious rock candy crystals! (Just remember to be careful of that string in the middle!)
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