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This activity shows you how to make amazing crystal spikes using Epsom salt and the sun. When Epsom salt is dissolved in water and placed in a container in the sun, the water evaporates, leaving beautiful crystal structures that can't be formed with just regular table salt. This activity highlights how each salt is chemically different.
- Under 5 minutes
- 1 to 2 hours
- $1 - $5 per student
- Ages 6 - 11
- Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per student)
- Black construction paper
- Scissors
- A pie pan, cake pan, or shallow bowl
- Warm water
- Epsom salt (usually near the rubbing alcohol in the supermarket)
Subjects
-
Physical Sciences
-
Chemistry
- Chemical Bonding
- Solutions
-
States of Matter
- Solids
- Changes of Phase
-
Chemistry
Informal Categories
- Arts and Crafts
- Outdoor Activity
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Murphy, Pat ; Klages, Ellen ; Shore, Linda
Rights:
- All rights reserved, The Exploratorium, 1998