Ingredients
- Water
- Sugar
- A jar
- String
- A pencil
- A heat source (e.g. stove)
Instructions
- Heat the water. An adult should heat the water using a stove or another suitable heat source. Take care around the hot container and solution.
- Dissolve the sugar. Stir sugar into the heated water until no more will dissolve. The aim is to make a saturated sugar solution. Avoid handling the hot solution while preparing it.
- Let the solution cool slightly. Set it aside briefly before moving on. It should still be warm enough to remain a solution, but it must be handled carefully. An adult should decide when it is safe to pour or work with it.
- Tie the string to the pencil. Secure one end of the string around the pencil. Adjust its length so it will hang down into the jar when the pencil rests across the opening.
- Position the string in the jar. Rest the pencil across the top of the jar so the string hangs into the sugar solution. Keep the pencil stable and make sure the string is not pressed against the jar’s bottom.
- Place the jar somewhere safe and undisturbed. Choose a stable location where the jar will not be bumped, tipped, or moved. Leave it in place so the solution can cool and evaporate over time.
- Observe the crystal growth over several days. Check the string periodically. Look for crystals forming and note how their appearance changes.
Notes
This experiment is not intended for food consumption; treat the solution and crystals as science materials. An adult should manage the hot solution for safety. If no visible crystals appear right away, continue observing over several days as results can vary.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
