This article will detail how to grow a crystal from copper sulfate at home. This material can be useful both for schoolchildren when preparing a task in the subject of "chemistry", and for everyone interested in this science.
Why blue vitriol?
This substance belongs to the class of s alts, which means that its solution can easily be turned into a solid through the process of crystallization. Growth of stone from it, as a rule, occurs much faster than using materials such as table s alt or sugar. In addition, copper sulfate crystals turn out to be a beautiful blue color. With proper cultivation, they acquire the correct multifaceted shape, so it can be very interesting and pleasant to observe the result of your own experience.
Another argument in favor of choosing this particular material may be its availability. You can buy a jar of blue vitriol at any store specializing in the sale of accessories forgardeners and summer residents.
What you need to know before starting the experiment?
This chapter will give some theoretical knowledge that will help you grow a crystal from copper sulfate at home in the future. First of all, you need to understand what processes must occur in order for the experience to succeed.
From the lessons of chemistry, schoolchildren know that many liquid and gaseous substances are able to acquire a solid consistency. This usually occurs during the crystallization process. But what if the task is to obtain a solid substance from sugar, s alt or blue vitriol, which are already such? Science says it's entirely possible. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to start the recrystallization process. That is, the result of the experiment can be considered successful if small stones, having dissolved in a liquid, are immediately converted into the same solid clots.
Recrystallization
The main condition under which such a process can be carried out is the presence of a supersaturated solution.
And this means that the cultivation of crystals at home from copper sulfate requires the manufacture of such a mixture. A liquid can be called supersaturated with some substance if there is so much material dissolved in it that part of it cannot completely mix with it and settles at the bottom of the container. Therefore, in order to understand how to grow a crystal from copper sulfate, you must first learn how to make a supersaturated solution.
Hygiene requirements
First of all, it is worth taking care of the necessary sterility in which the experiment should take place. Ideally, the hair of an amateur chemist should be covered with a hat, and it is best to wear rubber gloves on your hands. Copper sulfate, if handled carefully and wisely, does not pose any danger to the human body.
All of the above precautions are needed primarily to protect the solution from dust and small particles of foreign materials. This is extremely undesirable, since other crystals may begin to grow on such grains of sand that accidentally fall into the liquid, which will slow down the development of the main stone.
Supersaturated solution recipe
To prepare it, you will need a pot, water, a jar of blue vitriol, a container in which the main part of the experiment will be carried out (a vessel with transparent walls is best for this purpose, since you will need to monitor the growth of the crystal daily). Also, to carry out the task, a sheet of paper, a match and a thread will come in handy (it is best if it is not fleecy, but, for example, silk or made from a similar material).
So, let's start the first stage of making a crystal from copper sulfate at home. A pot of water must be put on a slow fire. When the liquid is already warm enough, but still does not have time to boil, you need to pour a few tablespoons of copper sulfate into it. Water should be stirred until the blue is completely dissolved.substances.
Multiple repetition of this step
When this happens, add a couple more tablespoons of blue vitriol. The liquid must be stirred thoroughly again.
Do not be afraid if this time not all the crystals of the substance were able to dissolve, and some of them formed a precipitate at the bottom of the pan. The appearance of such an excess just indicates that you have achieved the desired result - namely, you have received a supersaturated solution. If this did not happen, then it is necessary to add a few more tablespoons of vitriol to the water and stir again. These steps will have to be repeated until sediment appears at the bottom of the pan.
Making "Bait"
Such a fishing term is sometimes called crystals of copper sulphate of small size, which serve as the basis for further growing stones from this substance.
To make them, you need to take three small particles. When choosing crystals, one must take into account the criterion for the correctness of their shape. The more perfect the selected pieces are, the more correct and better the clot obtained as a result of your experience will be.
Three particles are placed at the bottom of a transparent vessel and filled with a supersaturated solution of vitriol.
After that, the container is covered with a sheet of paper and placed in a place with the most stable temperature conditions. As a rule, experts recommend placing it on the windowsill.
This place in the apartment is considered the most secluded, and therefore nothing can interfere with the implementation of the experiment. After everythingthe necessary actions have been taken, all further steps to grow a crystal from copper sulfate at home can be postponed for 2 days. During this time, the particles placed in the liquid should grow several times and reach the size of a match head.
Best candidate selection
From these ingots it is necessary to select the one that has the most correct shape. This is the so-called "bait". Next, you need to make again a supersaturated solution of copper sulfate. How to do it is described in the previous chapters. It should be filtered through cheesecloth and poured back into a transparent container. The crystal selected as "bait" must be tied to a thread, the other end of which must be fixed on a match.
Take a sheet of paper and make a hole in its middle of such a size that a manufactured pebble of blue vitriol can freely pass through it. Pass a thread through this hole so that the crystal is on one side of the sheet, and the match is on the other. After that, cover the jar with this paper. In this case, the match, of course, should lie on top, and the crystal should float in the liquid.
Patience and more patience
The problem of how to make a crystal from copper sulfate is almost solved. Now you just need to put the vessel back in a secluded place and wait.
It is necessary to ensure that the crystal, if possible, is in the center of the jar and does not come into contact with the walls. This can be achieved by moving the sheet of paper and adjusting the length of the thread withmatches as the crystal grows.
Different ways
We bring to your attention a few more master classes. Copper sulphate crystals can be grown in a slightly different way.
The second way is to place the vessel with the "bait" in a heat-insulating container or wrap the jar in a blanket or other warm thing. In this way, a slower cooling of a supersaturated solution can be achieved. This option is more complex than the one described earlier, but as a result of its application, pebbles of a very regular shape are obtained. The next way to grow a crystal from copper sulfate is the easiest.
No need to make a "bait". A thread is placed in a container with a supersaturated solution. In this case, it is best to choose one that is made from the most fleecy material. Its end is tied to a faceted pencil, which is placed on top of the can on its walls. The crystal will form on the thread itself.
Depending on temperature conditions, the growing experience can last from one week to several months.
