A crystal garden
When small crystals of a mineral join together, they “grow” into larger
crystals. You can see how crystals grow by growing some crystals
yourself. Here’s what you will need:
6 tablespoons of water
1 tablespoon of ammonia
6 teaspoons of salt
6 pieces of charcoal—the kind used for outdoor cooking
Mix the water, ammonia, and salt together in a measuring cup or a small
bowl.
Put the charcoal in a pie pan. Pour the liquid over the pieces of
charcoal. Put the pan in a warm place where the water will evaporate
quickly.
When the water has evaporated, you will find you have grown a fantastic
“garden” of crystals.
crystals grown in a dish
You can also grow crystals with nothing more than salt and water. Table
salt is a mineral called halite that forms in cube-shaped crystals.
Put a little hot water into a small pie pan or a saucer. Then add
several spoonfuls of salt to the water. Stir the water until all the
salt dissolves. Put the pan in a place where it will not be moved. Leave
it there for a few days.
Slowly, the water will dry up. On the bottom of the pan you will see a
lot of shiny, cube-shaped crystals of salt.
