ZAMBOANGA CHONG HUA HIGH SCHOOL
Gen. Vicente Alvarez Street, Zamboanga City
Tel. Nos. 991-4277, 991 1676
Junior High School Department
S.Y. 2025 – 2026
Crystal Formation
QUARTER 3 – ACTIVITY 3.1
INTRODUCTION
Crystals are substances whose atoms are arranged in a regular and repeated pattern, forming
shapes with planes and straight edges. Some minerals, such as diamond, topaz, and quartz, exist in
nature as crystals. They may be formed either in volcanic magma or in Earth's mantle, and are extruded
to the surface during volcanic activities like eruption and faulting.
In this activity, you will observe how temperature affects the formation of mineral crystals using
potash alum, a naturally occurring mineral chemically known as hydrated potassium aluminum sulfate
[KAISO4)2• 12H2O]. It is also known as tawas. You will crystallize the potash alum from a supersaturated
solution.
OBJECTIVs
1. Investigate the effect of temperature on crystal formation of minerals
2. Observe the crystal formation of alum
Estimated time frame
• Preparation: 80 minutes
• Observation: 24 hours
MATERIALS
Alum crystals Bunsen burner
Water Iron stand and ring
2pcs pencil Wire gauze
String 2500 ml beakers
Freezer Stirring rod
Graduated cylinder Pot holder
PROCEDURES
1. Form a saturated solution of alum by first boiling 300 mL of water. While continuously stirring the
solution; slowly add alum into the boiling water until no more alum dissolves.
2. Carefully and equally divide the hot solution into two. Use the pot holder in transferring the
solution to the beakers.
3. Tie a string to the mid-section of a pencil. Tie a crystal of alum to the other end of the string. The
alum will serve as your seed crystal. Do the same with the other pencil. As much as possible, the
sizes of the alum crystal should be identical in both beakers.
4. Place the pencil over the rim of the beaker. Make sure that the alum crystal is submerged in the
solution; that is, below the liquid level but not touching the bottom of the beaker.
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Fig. 36-1 Suspending the seed crystal in the solution
5. Set aside one setup in a room area where it will not be disturbed. Carefully place the other setup
in the freezer.
6. Observe the crystal formation on the surface of the seed crystals and in the solution. Observation
time will be at / =0, 15 minutes, 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours.
Record all your observations.
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ZAMBOANGA CHONG HUA HIGH SCHOOL
Gen. Vicente Alvarez Street, Zamboanga City
Tel. Nos. 991-4277, 991 1676
Junior High School Department
S.Y. 2025 – 2026
Crystal Formation
QUARTER 3 – ACTIVITY 3.1 (WORKSHEET)
Names: _________________________________ Score: _______________
_________________________________ Date Submitted: _______________
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Grade & Section: ______________
DATA/RESULTS:
Time Setup in the Freezer Setup at Room Temperature
15 minutes
1 hour
6 hours
12 hours
24 hours
Conclusion
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Guide Questions:
1. Compare and contrast the crystal formation in the two setups. In which setup did crystals form
faster? In what way were the crystals in the two setups similar or different? [5 marks]
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2. How does the activity relate to the formation of crystalline minerals? [5 marks]
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