4 cupsofwater, Thewatershouldbe slightlywarmerthanroomtemperature.
Stir until you are sure the water and sodiumsilicate have thoroughlymixed.
Place one or two of each typeofcrystal in thesolutionin noparticularpattern,
butbe sure to allowenoughspace between the crystals to give themroomto
grow. Once you haveaddedthe crystals, do notdisturbthe pan. When the
crystals havestoppedgrowing,siphonoff thesodiumsilicatesolution(see the
siphoning technique on page 25), and replace it with clear water. This will
preserve your crystalgarden.
Results:As the solution cooled, the colors blended and produced a sur-
prisinglybeautifuleffect.
In this crystal garden, all the crystals are basically sodium silicate. Pure
sodiumsilicate crystals are colorless,butin the areasaroundthe metallic salts,
thesodiumsilicateincorporatedsomeofthe metal molecules. Theseproduced
muchofthe color effect. Thegreaterthenumberof facets (flat faces) on each
crystal, the morebeautifulis the crystal garden. The more facets there are, the
more angles there are, and these reflect andrefract(bend) the light.Refraction
causes the light to disperse, orbreakup into manybeautifulcolors.
HOW TO GROW GIANT CRYSTALS
Gather these materials:Rock candy which is crystallized sugar(ClzHzzOu);
rocksalt (NaCl);copper sulfate (CuSO4);cobalt chloride(CoCl-): ferrous
sulfate(FeSO4);5 splints or pencils; 5drinkingglasses; at least 30 inches of
string;a kettle or smallpot;and a tray largeenoughto hold the 5 glasses.
Obtainyourmother'spermissionto use the stove.
Follow this procedure: Pour6 glasses of water into the kettle. The extra
glassful willcompensate for evaporationby boiling. Putthe kettle on the
stoveandallow the water to boil. While you are waiting, label each glass with
the nameofone of the chemicals listed above.Thencut the string into 5 lengths,