Crystal snowflake ornaments!




It was that time of the year; the joyful Christmas season. The kids wished to make some ornaments for their Christmas trees. To involve science in this activity [as usual ;-) ], I planned to show them 'crystal snowflake ornaments'.





Materials needed 

1. Borax powder - 3 tbsp
2. Water - 1 cup
3. Pipe cleaners - 2 [colors of your choice]
4. Strings - 2
5. Pencils - 2.
6. Bottles - 2.
7. Food colors - 2 drops (optional)

Procedure

1. Boil a cup of water and mix the borax powder in it to make a borax solution.
2. Add food color [optional].
3. Take a pipe cleaner and twist it into a star shape to give it a snowflake figure.
4. Pour the borax solution into a bottle or a glass.
4. Hang the pipe cleaner inside the borax solution using a string and a pencil.
5. Leave this setup undisturbed in a place for a day or two.
6. Your beautiful crystal ornament is ready for hanging!


Cut 3 equal pieces of a pipe cleaner


Twist them together to make a star shape



Hang it inside the solution using a string and a pencil

Leave the setup undisturbed for a day or two


Beautiful snowflake crystals ready to be hanged!



How does it work?

When water boils, the water molecules move apart giving space for the borax molecules to dissolve in. So naturally, when they cool down, the molecules slow down and come together. The dissolved borax settles to form borax crystals on the pipe cleaner. Crystals come together in a specific, repeated patterns due to the shape of the molecules forming them. You will see these crystals on the bottom of the container and arms of the pipe cleaner.

Your Christmas ornaments are ready to be shown off!

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