Christmas lights and crystals
Christmas Chromatography
Today we isolated the various dye components that make up an ink or other composite dye using chromatography. Dyes are molecular and can be dissolved in either water or alcohols,
and carried by capillary action through a porous material, such as a coffee filter or blotter paper. The individual dye components travel at different speeds and disperse along the length of the porous material. So, we made a strand of Christmas lights using this process.
Crystal Snowflakes
We also learned how different crystals are formed, and observed crystals in the making. We observed with a hand lens the growing crystals and cited the geometric qualities, and related the necessary natural occurrences needed to create crystals. We used a white pipe cleaner and shaped it into a snowflake. We attached it to a string. Then we boiled water (about 3 cups) and stirred in one cup of borax. Then we suspended the snowflake in the water/borax solution. We left it overnight and observed the growing crystals at different stages.
And for more snowflake fun, there is a whole “What is Snow” freebie unit study available at Hands of a Child.
What awesome activities! Thank you for sharing all these excellent pictures. It really makes me feel like I’m “there.”
You rock!
Comment by
Steph — December 15, 2006 @ 4:43 pm
Looks like you are having all kinds of fun. Love your lightbulbs. Very festive! It looks like you are enjoying the Christmas study as much as we are.
Comment by Sue — December 15, 2006 @ 11:48 pm
Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog :o). I read through some of your other posts and it looks like you’ve been on a similar journey!
What a great Christmastime project and thanks for the link to the snow lapbook!
Comment by
laraszoo — December 16, 2006 @ 10:55 am
I love the christmas lights activity! Thanks for visiting my own blog and commenting.
Comment by
lvbirders — December 19, 2006 @ 9:50 am
I love the light bulbs and snowflakes!!!
Comment by Dana — March 10, 2007 @ 9:23 am