It's a classic candy we all grew up with, it's Rock Candy. A stick full of pure sugar, and oh so fun to eat. Well, if you are going to eat it, you might as well make it educational so here is a fun recipe for making your very own rock candy and some resources to help you find out the science behind this fun treat.
Materials:
String or a wooden skewer
1 cup of water
1 clothes peg
1 tall narrow jar or cup
food coloring (optional)
Procedure:
1. Clip the clothes peg to your skewer, set it in the empty class jar/cup and make sure it sits about 1 inch above the bottom of the class, and set aside.
2. Pour your water into a pan and bring to a boil, pour in sugar about 1/4 cup at a time until it has dissolved. It may take a while so be patient! Pull of heat and let sit for about 2o minutes. Put in food coloring if you want colored rock candy. You will want it to be pretty dark so that it will show up in the candy.
3. Carefully pour into jar and place skewer inside. Be sure that it doesn't touch the sides or the bottom. Put jar where it will not be disturbed.
4. Wait. In about a week you will begin to see crystals forming!
Want to know the why behind the activity? Visit here to find out why the candy crystals grow.
For more information on sugar and crystals visit Science of Candy.
1 comment:
Ahhh, rock candy. Kids love it. My Mom used to make rock candy when I was young. It's fun to eat; however, it's too hard and sweet. I still eat rock candy but my dentist said I must do it in moderation.
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