National Chemistry Week - Experiments - Crystal Streamers

The Aim:

to observe a solid as it dissolves in a liquid to produce streamers of colour

What you will need:

• 1 clear plastic drinking glass or glass jar per group
• grape or cherry juice crystals (e.g. Koolaid)
• flat toothpicks

What to do:

1. Fill the glasses 2/3 full with water.

2. Use the flat end of the toothpick to scoop up some drink crystals.

3. Sprinkle crystals on the water's surface.

4. Encourage observations.

5. Keep adding crystals until the water is completely coloured.

The streamers of colour happen because the crystals dissolve in water as they fall. Where they dissolve there is now a solution containing the dissolved crystals.