CRYSTALS SCIENCE MODULE
METHOD
Alum (Aluminum Potassium Sulfate)
Rinse a clean jar with hot water. Add 3 tablespoons of alum to the jar. Pour in 1 cup of boiling water. Mix the solution until the alum dissolves. Cover the jar with plastic wrap and set in a place where no one will disturb it.
Check the solution daily but do not shake or disturb it. After several days, the crystals can be removed and stored.
Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate)
Add 6 tablespoons of Epsom salt to a clean jar. Pour in 2/3 cup water. Place a lid on the jar and shake until the Epsom salt dissolves. Set the jar aside for several minutes.
Place a piece of black construction paper on a plate/saucer. Pour the Epsom salt solution into the saucer until the paper is covered. Set the plate in a place where no one will disturb it. Check daily.
After several days, the crystals will form on a paper.
Liquid Bluing
In a deep dish, place pieces of charcoal briquettes, coal or brick. Pour 6 tablespoons of liquid bluing over the pieces. Add 4 tablespoons of water. Add 6 tablespoons of salt. Finally, add 1 tablespoon of ammonia.
Set the bowl in a place where no one will disturb it. Within a day, the crystals should start to form. The crystal formation should be complete after about a week. The crystals will be very soft and cannot be stored.
