Crystal formation

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c.labs4ever
Posts: 19
Joined: 13 Nov 2014, 07:47
Job Title: Lab Assistant
School: St Josephs College
Suburb: Hunters Hill
State/Location: NSW

Crystal formation

Post by c.labs4ever »

Hi All,
W are trying to compare fast and slow cooling of crystal for The changing Earth in year 8 and have used stearic & potassium nitrate but the differences are very hard to pick up.
Does anyone one have another chemical compound that works better in producing small crystals when cooled quickly and long crystals when cooled slowly?
Thank you
C
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AnnNos
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Joined: 17 Nov 2011, 07:32
Job Title: Science Assistant
State/Location: NSW

Re: Crystal formation

Post by AnnNos »

We use copper sulfate and get good results most of the time.
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rae
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Joined: 31 May 2006, 10:00
School: Oxley College
Suburb: Burradoo
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Re: Crystal formation

Post by rae »

Potassium nitrate is really good if you have it saturated and quite hot and then just turn the hotplate off underneath it and allow it to cool on the hot plate. Obviously the longer time it takes to cool the much bigger the crystals. I make sure my solution is super saturated.
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c.labs4ever
Posts: 19
Joined: 13 Nov 2014, 07:47
Job Title: Lab Assistant
School: St Josephs College
Suburb: Hunters Hill
State/Location: NSW

Re: Crystal formation

Post by c.labs4ever »

Thanks guys
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