Growing Large Copper Sulfate Crystals
Introduction – As you know, crystals grow when there is a liquid with dissolved elements in it,
whether it be a thick liquid like magma or lava or a thin liquid like water, the dissolved elements (which
are the building blocks of minerals/crystals) will build up in a repeating pattern as the liquid evaporates
or hardens. This repeating pattern of atoms creates the characteristic shape of the mineral crystals.
Growing Crystals in the Classroom (or at home)
To create an environment in which crystals will grow is quite simple. You simply supersaturate a
solution, which means to add a solid to a heated liquid until no more solid will dissolve. Why they
sometimes grow and why they sometimes don’t is still a mystery in even the most pristine or controlled
laboratories.
Put on your safety glasses
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Find a station at which to work.
Place 125 ml of H2O in the glass beaker
Place on the heating apparatus – bring to near boiling (slow simmer)
While you wait for the H2O to boil:
a. Put 50 ml of copper sulfate (CuSO4) into the plastic beaker
b. Obtain a jar/cup and place a wooden stir stick with a string dangling from it into the
jar/cup. String should be 1 cm above bottom of jar/cup
When H2O is hot (if boiling reduce heat) add 1 tsp of CuSO4 and stir until it is dissolved.
Keep adding 1 tsp of CuSO4 at a time stirring to dissolve each time.
When you have no CuSO4 left, get one more tsp and stir it in until it dissolves.
Remove the solution from the heat. Let cool at least 10 min. (15 is better)
Work on Microcrystal write up.
Tie a tiny crystal of CuSO4 to the bottom of the string. Pour the cooled solution into your
jar/cup.
Cover with paper towel that has your names on it and place it in a cabinet.
Wait 4 to 6 days