Sofia Covarrubias

Science Fair Written Report

March 29th, 2023

How Does Changing the Environment’s Temperature Affect the Growth of Crystals?

Statement of purpose

For my science fair project, I am going to investigate how changing the temperature of

the environment affects the growth of crystals. I have always been interested in crystals and how

they grow. I think crystals have beautiful patterns and wanted to learn more about them for this

project. When I started researching information about crystals and how to grow them, I learned

that crystals require a very specific environment to allow them to grow bigger. Learning about

crystals and temperature, I was able to create my hypothesis.

Hypothesis

My hypothesis is that the colder the temperature is, the slower the crystals will grow. To

conduct my experiment, I will grow four different crystal clusters, one in the freezer, one in the

fridge, one at room temperature, and one under a lamp for heat.

Research

I conducted research before deciding on my hypothesis. Crystals start small and continue

to grow as atoms are added. Many crystals grow from salt and water, but some crystals could

even grow from water vapor or melted rock. How fast and how large crystals grow depends on
the pressure and temperature of the environment that they are placed in. When growing crystals

in salt solutions, a warmer environment will cause the crystals to grow quicker due to the

increased temperature causing the rate of evaporation to increase. In colder environments, atoms

contract and bind closer together, therefore creating smaller and denser crystal clusters. Colder

environments also cause the structure of crystals to form irregularly which makes it more

difficult for crystals to grow quickly. Therefore, I was able to create my hypothesis that the

colder the environment is for the crystals, the slower or smaller they will grow.

Materials

To conduct my experiment, I first had to gather all of my materials needed for my

experiment. My materials included a white crystal compound (a base compound called

monoammonium phosphate), a crystal seeding mixture, four small display bases with hexagonal

transparent covers, one stirring bowl, one stirring spoon/measuring spoon, white paper, four

small ring shaped templates, heat lamp, refrigerator, camera, ruler, notebook.

Procedure

Once I had all of my materials ready, I used the following procedure to complete my

experiment.

1) I first boiled 200 mL of water and poured it into the stirring bowl.

2) Then, I added the white crystal compound to the hot water.

3) Next, I stirred until all of the white crystal compound powder dissolved to make a

solution.

4) After that, I had to wait 15 minutes for the solution to cool in the stirring bowl.
 5) Next, I poured the solution evenly into the four small hexagonal transparent

covers.

6) Then, I had to wait 30 more minutes for the solution to stabilize.

7) Next, I added one teaspoon of the crystal seeding mixture to each of the four

hexagonal covers.

8) After adding the crystal seeding mixture, I placed each of the hexagonal covers in

four environments with different temperatures:

a) Sample #1: Room temperature environment (70 degrees fahrenheit purple

seeding)

b) Sample #2: Hot environment (under a heat lamp) (82 degrees fahrenheit

pink seeding)

c) Sample #3: Cold environment (in the refrigerator) (36 degrees fahrenheit

light blue seeding)

d) Sample #4: Freezing environment (in the freezer) (1 degree fahrenheit

blue seeding)

9) Then, I placed a piece of white paper under each of the four samples so I could

see the crystals clearly.

10) Finally, I observed and recorded the crystal growth over the next 6 days.

Observations and Results

During my experiment, I made many observations that were able to lead me to my final

results. As a reminder, I had four different crystals in four different temperature environments.

The four different temperature environments were: sample number 1 at room temperature (70
degrees fahrenheit), sample number 2 at hot temperature (82 degrees fahrenheit), sample number

3 at cold temperature (36 degrees fahrenheit), and sample number 4 at freezing temperature (1

degree fahrenheit). On day one, sample number 1 had a few crystals already growing. They were

small in size (about 0.5 cm in height) and there were no crystals growing on the sides of the cup.

Sample number 2 had more crystal growth compared to sample number 1. The crystals were

already about 1 cm in height but there were none on the side of the cup. Sample number 3 had a

couple very small crystals form on the bottom of the cup but they were less than 0.5 cm in

height. Sample number 4 had no crystal growth and the solution that the crystals were supposed

to grow in was completely frozen. On day two, sample number 1 was difficult to see due to the

dye coloring. What I could see, it appeared that the crystals had grown a little bit but were only

about 1.0 cm in height. Sample number 2 had more crystal growth. The crystals were about 2 cm

in height and there was some growth on the rim of the cup. Sample number 3 showed very little

change after day one but the crystals were slightly taller (about 1 cm in height). Sample number

4 was still difficult to tell because the solution was still frozen but when I looked under the cup it

appeared that maybe one small crystal was forming. On day three, sample number 1 still had a

cloudy appearance because of the dye but there was a little crystal growth. The crystals in sample

1 were about 1.75cm in height. Sample number 2 had definitely grown more in height and in

number and the color was not as dark as yesterday. The crystals in sample 2 were about 3 cm in

height and there were more around the rim of the cup. Sample number 3 showed only a little

change from the day before but you could see that the crystals were getting a little thicker on the

bottom. They were about 1.5 cm in height. Sample number 4 showed no change and the solution

in the cup was still completely frozen. On day four, sample number 1 was easier to observe

because about half of the solution was no longer in the cup. The crystals were about 2.0 cm in
height. Sample number 2 continued to show changes in the crystals size and number. The

solution was also disappearing on this day. The crystals were about 4.0 cm in height and there

were definitely more crystals growing over the rim and side of the cup. Sample number 3

showed some change because the crystals had grown thicker on the bottom of the cup but there

are none on the side or rim of the cup. Sample number 4 showed no change. On day five, sample

number 1 was about 2.5cm. Almost all of the solution has disappeared and there are more

crystals around the rim and sides of the cup. Sample number 2 is now 5 cm in height. There are a

lot of crystals around the rim and side and all of the solution has disappeared. Sample number 3

had very little change from day 4. They are about 2.0 cm in height and there are no crystals on

the rim or side of the cup. Sample number 4 still has no evidence of crystal growth. On day six,

sample number 1 has a very small amount of solution left. The crystals are about 3.0 cm in

height. There are a lot of crystals on the side and rim of the cup. Sample number 2 had very little

change from day 5. They finished fully growing when all of the solution disappeared. They are

now 6 cm in height. In sample number 3 none of the solution had disappeared. There was only a

little change from the day before. They are about 2.5 cm in height. In sample number 4 the

solution is still frozen and I cannot see any crystals.

Conclusion

At the end of my experiment, most of my predictions were correct. My hypothesis was

that the colder the temperature of the environment, the slower the crystals would grow. When I

observed my crystals each day, it was clear that the warmer temperature environments allowed

the crystals to grow faster and bigger. Therefore, my hypothesis was correct. I was a little

disappointed with the frozen temperature environment because I did not expect the solution to
freeze. But, after thinking about it, it makes sense that the solution froze in the freezer because

the solution was mostly water and water freezes at temperatures below 32 degrees fahrenheit.

Since the freezer is set to 1 degree fahrenheit, the solution froze within a few hours and stayed

frozen, not allowing any crystals to grow. Overall, I am very pleased with my results and I

learned a lot about crystal growth and enjoyed doing this project!
 Qualitative Data Table

DAY Room Temperature Hot Temperature Sample #2 Cold Temperature Freezing Temperature
Sample #1 (70 Degrees (82 Degrees Fahrenheit) Sample #3 (36 Degrees Sample #4 (1 Degree
Fahrenheit) Fahrenheit) Fahrenheit)

1 A few crystals are More crystal growth compared A couple very small No crystal growth and
already growing. They to sample number 1. No crystals form on the the solution that the
were small in size and crystals on the side of the cup. bottom of the cup. crystals were supposed to
there were no crystals grow in was completely
growing on the sides of frozen.
the cup.

2 Difficult to see due to the More crystal growth. There Very little change after No crystal growth and
dye coloring. What I was some growth on the rim of day one but the crystals the solution that the
could see, it appeared the cup. were slightly taller crystals were supposed to
that the crystals had grow in was completely
grown a little bit. frozen.

3 Still had a cloudy Definitely grown more in Only a little change from No crystal growth and
appearance because of height and in number and the the day before but you the solution that the
the dye but there was a color was not as dark as could see that the crystals crystals were supposed to
little crystal growth. yesterday. More crystals were getting a little grow in was completely
around the rim of the cup. thicker on the bottom. frozen.

4 Easier to observe because Continued to show changes in Showed some change No crystal growth and
about half of the solution the crystals size and number. because the crystals had the solution that the
was no longer in the cup. The solution was also grown thicker on the crystals were supposed to
Had grown some and disappearing on this day. The bottom of the cup but grow in was completely
more on the rim and side crystals were about 4.0 cm in there are none on the side frozen.
of the cup. height and there were or rim of the cup.
definitely more crystals
growing over the rim and side
of the cup.

5 Almost all of the solution There are a lot of crystals Very little change from No crystal growth and
has disappeared and there around the rim and side and all day 4. There are no the solution that the
are more crystals around of the solution has crystals on the rim or side crystals were supposed to
the rim and sides of the disappeared. of the cup. grow in was completely
cup. frozen.

6 A very small amount of A little change from day 5. None of the solution had No crystal growth and
solution was left. There They finished fully growing disappeared. There was the solution that the
are a lot of crystals on the when all of the solution only a little change from crystals were supposed to
side and rim of the cup. disappeared. the day before. grow in was completely
frozen.
Quantitative Data Table
DAY Room Hot Cold Freezing
Temperature Temperature Temperature Temperature
Sample #1 (70 Sample #2 (82 Sample #3 (36 Sample #4 (1
Degrees Degrees Degrees Degree
Fahrenheit) Fahrenheit) Fahrenheit) Fahrenheit)

1 About 0.5 cm in About 1.0 cm in Less than 0.5 No growth -

height height cm in height frozen solution

2 About 1.0 cm in About 2.0 cm in A little less than No growth -

height height 1.0 cm in height frozen solution

3 About 1.75 cm in About 3.0 cm in About 1.5 cm in No growth -

height height height frozen solution

4 About 2.0 cm in About 4.0 cm in About 1.75 cm in No growth -

height height height frozen solution

5 About 2.5 cm in About 5.0 cm in About 2.0 cm in No growth -

height height height frozen solution

6 About 3.0 cm in About 6.0 cm in About 2.5 cm in No growth -

height height height frozen solution

Line Graph Showing Crystal Growth

Bibliography:

Gillespie, Claire. “How Does Temp Affect the Growth Rate of Crystals?” Sciencing, 2 Mar.

2019, https://sciencing.com/temp-affect-growth-rate-crystals-6318908.html.

Nighbert, Alex. “The Effect of Temperature on Crystal Growth.” Growth & Development, 1

Sept. 2007,

https://www.csun.edu/~an6862/coursework/695/Growth%20and%20Development/Growt

h%20&%20Development.htm.