Microscopes and Crystals - National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Microscopes and Crystals - National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Microscopes and Crystals - National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
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ACTIVITY 15: WHAT VARIABLES AFFECT CRYSTAL GROWTH?<br />
m6: <strong>Microscopes</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Crystals</strong><br />
A CT<br />
CTIVITY<br />
What Variables Affect Crystal Growth?<br />
Activity 15A<br />
Almost every solid that occurs in nature is made up<br />
of crystals. The minerals found on earth have<br />
differently shaped crystals. Salt looks like rough s<strong>and</strong><br />
to the unaided eye. However, when looked at using a<br />
h<strong>and</strong> lens or a microscope, it is actually made up of<br />
small cube-shaped crystals. Many crystals are<br />
transparent, others are colored. Some crystals, like<br />
salt, are very small, while others are large enough to be<br />
seen without a h<strong>and</strong> lens or a microscope. What causes crystals to be so different<br />
from one another?<br />
In this activity you <strong>and</strong> your group are going to investigate variables that affect<br />
crystal growth. Before beginning this activity, think about how you made crystals<br />
in Activity 14. Using the materials below, you <strong>and</strong> your group members are<br />
going to design an experiment to test your ideas about crystal growth.<br />
MATERIALS:<br />
! Baby food jars, clear film canisters, or other containers<br />
! Water<br />
! Measuring spoon (1 teaspoon = 5 ml)<br />
! Copper Sulfate (CuSO 4<br />
), Epsom salt, table salt, sugar, borax or other<br />
substance<br />
! Slides<br />
! Droppers or straws<br />
! <strong>Field</strong> microscope<br />
! H<strong>and</strong> Lens<br />
! Science Notebooks<br />
SCIENCE, OPTICS & YOU GUIDEBOOK<br />
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