Print this lab sheet here

Rock Candy Lab  (This can be worth up to 7 test points)

This Lab must be done with Parent supervision!
I _________________ ________________(parent) helped my Child complete this lab.

Make sure that you read the entire Lab sheet before starting!!!

Purpose- To create a solution in your kitchen.  During the creation of this solution, you will explore the concepts of Solutes, Solvents, and Solubility (Unsaturated, Saturated, and Supersaturated).

Background Information- On a separate piece of paper define the words in bold in the purpose. 

Question- How many spoonfuls of sugar will create a saturated solution?  How many spoonfuls of sugar will create a supersaturated solution? 

Hypothesis – On a separate piece of paper write your 2 predictions.  These do not have to be in an “if-then” statement.

Materials

1. Small sauce pan (anything that will boil water)
2. 3 cups water
3. Sugar (amount will vary)
4. 1 wooden spoon
5. Pencil or small twig that is long enough to rest on top of the sauce pan
6. Piece of string about 8 inches in length.
7. Food coloring (optional)
8. Small amount of kool-aid (optional-I have never tried this, so try at your own risk)

Procedure

1. Pour 3 cups of water into the saucepan. 
2. Immediately add one heaping spoonful of sugar to the water and stir until completely dissolved. 

Question 1:  The solution is now unsaturated.  Explain Why?

Question 2:  At this point, what is the solvent and what is the solute?

1. Repeat step 2 until you can no longer dissolve the sugar.  Record the number of spoonfuls!

Question 3:  The solution is now saturated.  Explain Why?

1. Place the saucepan on the stovetop and heat on medium for 5 minutes or until the solution is transparent (stirring might be needed).
2. Add a spoonful of sugar and stir until dissolved. (Optional-now is the time to add about ¼ of the kool-aid packet)
3. Repeat step 5 until no more sugar will dissolve into the water.  Record the amount of spoonfuls.  Your solution should be boiling before you finish adding the sugar.  If you need to turn it up, do it!  Turn it down if it begins to boil vigorously!

Question 4:  The solution is now supersaturated.  Explain Why?

1. Optional- if you have food coloring you may add drops now!
2. Tie the end of the string to the middle of your pencil or twig. 
3. Remove the solution from the stovetop and put it somewhere to cool.  It is possible to switch containers at this point (though it will work better if the saucepan is used).  Immediately, place the pencil across the top of the saucepan and use the wooden spoon to push the string into the solution.
   
   
4. Wait one to two weeks and you will have beautiful, colorful crystals to collect and enjoy.  You may want to lightly cover the pan with a towel.

Results

1. How many spoonfuls did it take to reach saturated and supersaturated?  Was your hypothesis correct? 
2. What human errors could have changed your results?

Word from Teacher – Make sure that you have the background information, hypothesis, 4 questions from the procedure, and 2 questions from the results on a separate piece of paper before you turn it in!