Ice-speriments: Hot & Cold Crystals

 

We took a look at forming both hot and cold crystals with two experiments. The first was honestly a failed experiment that took another turn. We meant to make a Hot Ice Tower, by boiling 4 cups of vinegar with 4T of baking soda. Baking soda and vinegar never fails to be great science, including terms like dissolve and chemical reaction, alkaline/acid and in this case, evaporation as we had to boil out the water to concentrate the mixture.

We boiled it  right down to pure sodium acetate crystals, long and cylindrical that stuck to the pot like gems.

The second was as simple as partially freezing water so we could witness the process of crystallization. If the weather is cold enough, you can place a container of water outdoors. Otherwise, you can use your freezer. Continue checking the container as you want some water to remain, in order to see the parts that are forming crystals. Depending on the depth of water, your solid frozen time will vary.

Definitely follow up with a tray of watercolour paints and a bowl of salt. As the salt dissolves the ice, the paint fills the crevices-very pretty science!