Every talented teacher knows that in order to teach a child something new, he needs to be interested. Today on sale you can find ready-made kits for creativity and entertaining experiments that can not only arouse interest in a child, but also hold him for a long time. Try to grow “magic” crystals at home - this experiment will bring a lot of pleasure not only to children, but also to their parents.
Home Crystallization Kits
The experiment on growing crystals was carried out at the school by our parents. Today, on sale you can find ready-made kits for such an experiment. What are their advantages?
Using a ready-made kit, a child can not only grow "magic" crystals on his own. On sale you can find curly bases for crystallization, beautiful coasters, as well as a set of personal protective equipment for the young chemist. Often also in the kit there is a memo with a scientific explanation of the experiments and questions for checking the acquired knowledge.
Complete sets of young chemists
Each Magic Crystal set contains reagents for conducting a chemical experiment and the base on which they will be grown. Also in the configuration may contain a container for growing and sticks for stirring the solution. Costly sets are sometimes also equipped with an apron, gloves and glasses. These remedies for the young experimenter are, of course, intended only to create an entourage. The experience with growing crystals is completely safe.
On sale you can find sets with pebble or curly bases. Looks very interesting, for example, the option "Magic crystals: Christmas tree." In this set, the whole process takes place on the basis of a Christmas tree. As a result of the experiment, an interesting craft is obtained - the Christmas tree, consisting of greenish crystals.
"Magic crystals": instructions for growing a house
Before starting your entertaining study, carefully read the manual on the use of all the components of the selected set. The standard work plan is as follows:
- Place the crystallization base in the growth container.
- Pour the appropriate reagent with hot water.
- Now, crystallization powder can be added to the resulting solution. Pour it should be so that there are undissolved grains. As soon as the active substance ceases to dissolve, you get a saturated solution. In this case, a few grains of reagent should remain with you.
- Then pour the solution into a growth container so that the liquid completely hides the base. In this case, the sediment should remain in the original container.
- Next, drop the remaining grains of the reagent onto the bases for crystallization. These are the "seeds" from which your "magic" crystals will grow.
If separate crystals floated on your surface while pouring the solution, immediately remove them. Now all that remains is to put the container in a safe place and leave it for a while. Cover it with a sheet of paper on top if there is no cover in the kit.
Crystal growth will begin almost immediately. Remember to keep an eye on the container. Drain the solution as soon as one of the crystals appears on the surface. After this, you need to pull them all out and dry for 24 hours.
What to do with the grown crystal?
The experiment can be considered completed as soon as the crystallization process is over. What to do with ready-made "magic" crystals? The instruction from the kit usually does not answer this question.
If you do everything according to the instructions, the crystal will turn out beautiful and interesting. It can simply be stored as a memory or used in some kind of craft. Crystallization on a figured base looks especially interesting. The finished product does not need additional decor and in itself looks interesting and unusual.
Safety during crystallization experiments
The instructions for a set for growing crystals usually say that children under 14 lei should conduct an experiment under the supervision of adults. Follow this simple rule, and experience will bring you only positive emotions.
The reagents included in the kit are safe. But, of course, they can not be tasted, and if it comes into contact with the skin, immediately wash it off with water. Ready crystals are also completely safe, they are strong enough, they can be picked up. Try to avoid contact with water - the liquid can destroy the result of your experience.
The price of crystallization kits at home
Now let's calculate how much it costs to grow a crystal at home. The cost of small kits intended for growing small elements is usually 150-200 rubles. Interesting sets, which include additional elements and curly bases, may have a higher price. For example, the "Magic Tree" (crystals grow here on the branches of the base) costs from 250 rubles.
Choose sets to your taste. If you wish, you can grow your own collection of crystals of various shapes and colors. The most important thing is to carefully study the instructions, since kits from different manufacturers may vary slightly in configuration.
Reviews of "Magic crystals"
Crystallization kits appeared on store shelves several years ago. During this time, many of our compatriots tried to grow a crystal at home. A large number of buyers liked this interesting and entertaining experience.
Sets "Magic Crystals" reviews are positive. This is a great way to tell your child about chemical reactions. Each parent knows that sometimes it’s not at all easy to direct the child’s energy in the right direction and to really captivate with something. And growing crystals is not only an interesting experiment, but also a real hobby for the whole family.
Although among the buyers of the described sets there are those who remained dissatisfied. It so happens that sometimes the crystals simply do not start to grow. There may be two reasons - non-compliance with the rules for conducting an experiment or a manufacturer’s marriage (for example, improper reagent packaging).
Is it possible to grow a crystal without a special kit?
It is possible to conduct crystallization experiments at home without any special substances and devices. For such an experiment, you will need ordinary table salt. Dilute the saturated solution by adding at least 2 tablespoons of the selected substance to 200 grams of hot water. Throw a small pebble into the liquid, leave the container for a week in a cool place. As a result, you get a base covered with salt crystals. It can be carefully removed from the solution and dried on a paper towel.
However, keep in mind that salt crystals are quite fragile. The value of such experience lies in the process itself. If you want to keep something as a keepsake, it makes sense to purchase a ready-made set of “Magic Crystals”. Using real reagents and convenient devices, you can observe an entertaining chemical process. And as a result, you will get beautiful multi-colored crystals with good transparency and durability.