Sunshine State Standard

SC.A.1.2.5

Materials

two glass jars hot water sodium carbonate (washing soda) long-handled spoon pencil paper clip string magnifying glass

What to do

1. Fill one of the jars with very hot water. 2. Add sodium carbonate one spoonful at a time, stirring after each addition. Continue adding sodium carbonate until the water is saturated and the washing soda will no longer dissolve. 3. Allow the solution to cool, then pour it in the other jar. 4. Tie a paper clip to one end of the string, and a pencil to the other end. Place the pencil across the top of the jar so that the paper clip is suspended in the solution. 5. Watch for changes each day. When crystals appear (after a few days), carefully remove the paper clip and the crystals. 6. Place the clip with crystals on black construction paper and let students examine the crystals with a magnifying lens. 7. Students use write and draw descriptions of the crystals.

Additional Information

Keep students away from hot water during this activity. Keep the sodium carbonate out of student's reach.

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