ROCK CANDY

BY: Marcelle Cruzado, Joy Hsu, and Nikki Molina

PURPOSE
The purpose of this experiment is to
observe and examine the growth of
crystals from sugar, and see how
precipitation and evaporation take
part in the process.
MATERIALS
Materials:
1 quart sauce pan- Dont use a large pan!
1 glass jar (preferably narrow) with a lid
2 cups of regular table sugar (white, granulated)
Measuring cup
Food coloring
teaspoon of flavoring
1 thin wooden stick, or pipe cleaner for shaping
1 cup of water
PROCEDURE
1. Lightly water the stick that you cover with sugar.

2. Measure exactly 1 cup of water and pour in saucepan. Heat on
medium-high until it is a rolling boil.

3. Pour 2 cups of sugar into the water and stir continuously. It will
turn cloudy and then clear.

4. Stir for 1-2 minutes and make sure the sugar is completely
dissolved. Dont let it become to hot.

5. After the sugar has completely dissolved, immediately remove
the pan from the heat.

6. Let the solution sit ten minutes or it might break the glass because
of the heat.



7. Pour the solution into the jar. (Be careful! It can be hot.)


8. Lower the stick into the solution using clothespins to keep it above surface.

9. Put a paper towel or plastic wrap on top of the jar. (Do NOT cover the solution
completely)

10. Keep the jar in at a temperature of room temperature and let it sit. It will take up
to 3-7 days, to finish its growth. Transfer the solution and stick to a clean jar
occasionally.

11. When you are satisfied with the size of your rock candy, take it out and let it dry
overnight.
SCIENCE BEHIND IT
Creating a supersaturated solution by first heating a saturated sugar solution
(a solution in which sugar can dissolve at a particular temperature) and then
allowing it to cool. A supersaturated solution is unstable- it contains more
solute (sugar) than it can stay in liquid form. So the sugar will come out of the
solution, form what is called a precipitate.