How Do You Make Crystals With Bluing?
Growing crystals is a fun and educational project that kids enjoy. As the water from the solution evaporates with the help of ammonia, the salt crystals begin to form around the particles left by the bluing. Food coloring adds to the beauty of the forming crystals that appear to grow out of the porous material of the coal–which allows the liquid containing bluing and salt to be drawn up in a capillary action. Preparing the Base Step 1 Break up several pieces of coal or charcoal briquettes with a hammer. Pieces of about one inch work well. Step 2 Soak the pieces in water in a small basin for three to five minutes. Step 3 Remove the pieces and layer them in the glass pie plate. Preparing the Solution Step 1 Measure three tablespoons of ammonia into the jar. Step 2 Measure six tablespoons of bluing into the jar. Step 3 Measure three tablespoons of non-iodized salt into the jar. Step 4 Stir carefully with the wooden spoon until thoroughly mixed and the salt has dissolved. Combining the Tw
