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All Science Projects
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Sugar Crystallization
Science Project:


3.8 based on 259 ratings


 Grade Level: 4th-5th Grade; Type: Chemistry


Discover which kind of sugar will be quickest to form crystals.

Research Questions

Have you ever wondered how candy is made? Rock candy is one of the earliest forms of sweets and can be easily created in your own home with basic ingredients and some patience.

When people think of sugar, the first thing that comes to mind is usually white granulated sugar, which is the most common. However, there are actually different types of sugars that are different colors, textures, forms, consistencies, and/or obtained in different ways and from different sources. For example, brown sugar is tinted brown because there is molasses in its composition. Powdered sugar is actually super-crushed regular white granulated sugar that is usually used in baking.

Rock candy is created through processes called crystallization and supersaturation. There is an excess amount of sugar in the sugar vs. water ratio, thus crystals form as the water gradually evaporates (turns from a liquid to a gas). The cool thing about rock candy is that the shape of the candy is actually the shape of the tiny individual sugar crystals magnified and is basically just many tiny sugar crystals grown together.

In this experiment, you are dealing with heat and an open flame. Keep any other materials away from the flame. The liquid inside will be boiling hot. Adult supervision throughout the experiment is also highly recommended.

Suggested Chart

Terms/Concepts: Crystallization, Crystal Nucleation, Supersaturation, Solutions and Mixtures, Sugar and Sucrose, Heat, Dissolve, States of Matter, Evaporation


Author: Jennifer Penn-Chiu
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