How to grow copper sulfate? This question is often asked to their mentor by curious students. Is it possible to obtain beautiful crystals of various shapes, sizes, colors outside the laboratory?
Process features
The formula of copper sulfate in chemistry is CuSO 4 . If you take it as a raw material, you can grow a beautiful blue crystal without adding dyes to the solution. The essence of crystallization of this salt does not differ from the process characteristic of other organic and inorganic substances. Copper sulfate, the chemical formula of which is presented above, is sold in hardware stores.
What is required
For work, the following materials and reagents will be required:
- copper sulfate;
- distilled water (in its absence, you can use ordinary boiled water);
- a jar or a glass cup;
- dense thread;
- latex gloves;
- pencil or wand;
- colorless nail polish
Sequencing
How to grow copper sulfate at home? We offer instructions for lovers of home experiments. Before proceeding with practical actions, gloves must be worn.
The first step involves the preparation of a supersaturated solution. To prepare such a solution of copper sulfate, you need to pour about 300 ml of water into a jar. Then pour copper sulfate, gently stirring the solution with a tablespoon. The dissolution process is fast enough. Copper sulfate, the formula of which is described by CuSO 4 , must be added until the salt begins to settle on the bottom of the jar (glass). Similar signs indicate that a supersaturated solution is ready.
Next, the jar is placed in a pot of water (in a water bath), put on fire. It is important to ensure that copper sulfate is completely dissolved in water. The formula of this salt indicates that the substance belongs to the middle (normal salts).
Next stage
While the solution is cooling, it is necessary to prepare a special "seed". Copper sulfate itself can act as it. The formula for such a "seed" is similar to the chemical compound itself, there are differences only in the size of the crystal and its shape. It is fixed on the thread. Also, the button or bead will do the role of “seed" perfectly. It is placed inside a jar with a prepared supersaturated solution of copper sulfate. In order for the “seed” to fulfill its functional purpose, it must touch the bottom or walls of the vessel.
After the design is ready, you need to be patient. How fast will crystalline copper sulfate appear? The formula of this compound indicated above indicates that the composition contains copper cations and sulfate anions.
It has been experimentally established that crystals of this middle salt form faster than sodium chloride (sodium chloride).
When it becomes the desired size, it is removed from the solution, the thread is cut. In order for the finished crystal to have an original appearance, it can be additionally coated with colorless varnish.
Useful Tips
The rate of crystallization is directly affected by the saturation of the solution. After a couple of days, you can remove the crystal from the prepared solution, change the solution to a more saturated version.
Crystal growing is a fascinating process that allows the younger generation to form a cognitive interest in the subjects of the natural science cycle.
If the process is too slow, you can count on getting one large crystal. At a high crystallization rate, there will be many small crystals among the products.
Methods for conducting an experiment
There are several options for growing crystals of copper sulfate. For example, you can achieve the desired result by cooling the solution. With decreasing temperature, a decrease in solubility is observed. At the first stage, small “nuclei” can be seen on the walls of the vessel, then they turn into beautiful large crystals.
The presence in the solution of solid impurities (dust, soot) leads to distortion of the form, so the crystals formed have some distortions in their shape.
The second crystallization method that can be carried out at home is the gradual removal of water from a saturated solution. The slower the process, the larger the crystals formed.
How to achieve the desired result? You can leave the vessel open at room temperature for a long period, covering it with plain paper. The rate of water evaporation will decrease, and dust will not get into the prepared solution of copper sulfate.
As the volume of the solution decreases, it is necessary to pour in a new portion of it in a timely manner.
To summarize
Experiments related to the cultivation of crystals of copper sulfate, sodium chloride, sugar, are ideal for junior students. This fascinating process will also interest middle-aged children. If desired, you can get huge crystals, which will be the pride of a young researcher.
How to protect the grown crystal from destruction? The most affordable way is to cover its surface with a layer of colorless varnish.
In addition to copper sulfate (copper sulfate) , you can also use other chemicals, for example, potassium iodide, for your own experiment.
To achieve the desired result on an industrial scale, certain conditions must be observed:
- temperature;
- pressure;
- humidity
For a home experiment, you can limit yourself to only controlling humidity and air temperature. It must be remembered that copper sulfate is a chemically active compound. That is why it is recommended to choose distilled water for its dissolution, in which there are no impurities of other inorganic salts.
It is possible to grow crystals not only from solutions, but also from melts. For example, a similar experiment can be carried out with yellow opaque sulfur crystals, which have the shape of a rhombus or an elongated prism. For home experiments, this substance is better not to choose, since evaporation produces sulfur dioxide, which is harmful to health.
If the purpose of the experiment is to grow crystals with original faces, then fat or petroleum jelly is applied to part of the seeds of the seed.
Considering that currently in general education programs in biology, chemistry, physics, design and research activities are mandatory, experiments related to the cultivation of various crystals are of particular interest not only for the students themselves, but also for their mentors. Schoolchildren can demonstrate the grown crystals to classmates by designing a creative project based on their home experiments.