Sugar Crystals

Yesterday in science we started the process of making sugar crystals.  We all got into groups of about three or four and all worked together.

Our aim is to make the crystals from a super saturated solution.

Ingredience:

• Sugar 250g
• Hot water 50mL
• Food colouring

Equipment:

• Buncen burner
• Popsicle stick
• Beaker
• Gauze mat
• heating mat
• tri-pod
• stirring rod

Method:

1. add approximately 50mL of water into a beaker and heat it up until boiling over the Bunsen burner. 
2. Once it has started boiling turn hoof the Bunsen burner, slowly start adding the sugar into the boiling water (bit by bit) and mix it until it has dissolved. 
3. Once it is all dissolved it should be clear but it should have a Light yellow tinge to it. If you water is still a little cloudy you can turn the Bunsen burner back on and heat the water to help the sugar dissolve. 
4. Once it is ready you can add the food coloring and flavor (optional) 
5. Then with your Popsicle stick you wet the end of it and then cover it in sugar. (water is there to help it grow and stick to the stick) 
6. Put the Popsicle stick into a different cup with nothing else in it
7. Pour the colored water you were preparing earlier into the cup with the Popsicle stick and then place it over by a window.
8. Then wait for the crystal to grow. ( might take a few weeks) 

Results:

Discussion:
Making crystals can separate a solid from a liquid. However a highly concentrated solution was needed (Saturated solution) in order to grow crystals. Crystallization Is a good way of getting the solid (sugar) out of the water. But the water will still have some sugar in it just not as much as the starting product.