Crystal Trees and Gardens

Objectives

• Describe the general process of crystal formation.

Materials

• Per Demo:
  table salt (plain, not iodized)
  ammonia solution (regular household ammonia, not sudsy type)
  laundry bluing (such as Mrs. Stewart’s–available at a grocery store)

• Per Student:
  food colouring
  blotter paper (or other thick absorbent paper for crystal tree) or lava rock/charcoal briquettes (for crystal garden)
  bottle to hold crystal solution
  aluminum foil muffin pan
  stirrer (wood or metal)

Key Questions

• What is happening with the crystal solution? Why does it “grow”?
• What change of state is happening here? (Hint: Evaporation of water and ammonia).

What To Do

TEACHER CAUTION:

1. Ammonia fumes are irritating, particularly to the eyes. Work in an area with good ventilation. Wear gloves and goggles.

2. PREPARE SOLUTION RIGHT BEFORE ACTIVITY – DO NOT STORE.*

1. To prepare the crystal growing solution, mix the following in a beaker or suitable container:

• 90 mL (6 tbsp) water
• 90 mL (6 tbsp) liquid laundry bluing
• 15 mL (1 tbsp) household ammonia
• ​100 grams (6 level tbsp) table salt (NaCl)

2. ​Stir until the salt is dissolved. Use immediately. You may put the solution in an airtight bottle for short delays but *DO NOT STORE this solution because the solution decomposes to form poisonous cyanides.

Crystal Tree (grown on paper):

1. Cut heavy blotter paper into the shape of a tree. Use the template that follows or create your own.
2. To give the crystals some colour, put drops of food colouring on the tips of the branches and allow it to dry.
3. Place the tree in an aluminum foil muffin tin, and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the crystal growing solution. Allow the tree to stand undisturbed for several hours or overnight.

Crystal Garden (grown on rocky lump):

1. Place a charcoal briquette or lava rock in an aluminum foil muffin pan.
2. To give the crystals some colour, put drops of food colouring on the briquette, rock or coal and allow it to dry before addition of the crystal growing solution.
3. Add 1 to 2 tbsp of the crystal growing solution around the briquette, lava rock, or coal. Allow the garden to stand undisturbed for several hours or overnight.

Note: Depending on temperature and humidity conditions, crystals can begin growing within 2 hours.

Teacher tip: Liquid materials used in this experiment can be washed down the drain with running water.

Extensions

• Does adding more crystal growing solution lead to more crystals?
• Try growing these crystals on other kinds of paper, rocks, or sponges. What difference does the surface make?