#making crystals

[jumbojibbles]

How to Make Bismuth Crystals!

[ashleemccann]

Making A Crystal Garden-Part 1

[ederogan]

CRYSTALS!

I used my science kit that I got given for Xmas one year to make coloured crystals...Here's what's in them and how to make them:

The crystal starter is Monoammonium Phosphate, it looks like salt. 

It's important not to touch the Monoammonium Phosphate - so use gloves and googles to protect your eyes.

1. You put 20mls of warm water into a beaker, then you add one level teaspoon full of the salt crystals. 

2. Stir the solution until the crystals disappear, and then keep adding half a teaspoon at a time while stirring, until no more will dissolve. Now you have a 'saturated solution'.

3. You carefully tip half of the solution into a dish, keeping any undissolved crystals aside. Get one undissolved crystal 'seed' from the Monoammonium Phosphate jar, and leave overnight.

Within 24 hours, the crystals start forming in the solution, and in the morning you have some little crystals...the longer you leave the mixture, the bigger the crystals will get.

My kit came with blue and yellow dye, which you can use to colour the crystal solution with a few drops before you start growing them.

[effyeahfacts]

FACTS: Bleach and ammonia when combined give off a deadly gas usually called mustard gas. NEVER combine cleaning products, especially bleach and ammonia.  In fact, ammonia or bleach on their own are very dangerous, and you should always use them in well ventilated areas.  NEVER mix any cleaning products, and ALWAYS read all of the safety information on any chemicals in your home.