In some solids, the arrangements of the molecules are random throughout the material. In crystals, however, the molecules are repeated in exactly the same pattern over and over throughout the entire material. This activity provides instructions for making different kinds of crystals. Almost every solid that occurs in nature is made up of crystals. The minerals found on earth have differently shaped crystals.
Salt looks like rough sand to the unaided eye.
However, when viewed through a magnifying glass or a microscope, it is actually made up of tiny cube-shaped crystals. In this activity you are going to investigate variables that affect crystal growth. Before beginning this activity, think about how you made crystals in Activity 14. In this activity, you will be making crystals and examining them using the naked eye and the compound light microscope. You will also be looking at the crystals using polarizers that will allow you to view the many colors in birefringent crystals, like epsom salt crystals or copper sulfate crystals.