Difference between revisions of "Borax Crystal"
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[[File:Borax.jpeg|thumb|upright|right|[https://www.dollargeneral.com/borax-all-natural-detergent-booster-multi-purpose-household-cleaner-65-oz-box.html]]] | [[File:Borax.jpeg|thumb|upright|right|[https://www.dollargeneral.com/borax-all-natural-detergent-booster-multi-purpose-household-cleaner-65-oz-box.html]]] | ||
[[File:Borax Pipe Cleaner Shape.jpg|thumb|upright|right|An example of what a crystal can look like [https://www.danslelakehouse.com/2015/01/diy-borax-crystals.html]]] | [[File:Borax Pipe Cleaner Shape.jpg|thumb|upright|right|An example of what a crystal can look like [https://www.danslelakehouse.com/2015/01/diy-borax-crystals.html]]] | ||
| + | ==Borax Background== | ||
| + | From the wikipedia page on Borax [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borax] | ||
| − | == | + | Borax is a water-soluble mineral that can be found naturally in deposits produced by the evaporation of lakes; in fact, it was first discovered in dry lake beds in Tibet[https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2588]. It is a soft, white crystal powder that is commonly found in: |
| − | The most general way to grow a crystal includes forming a supersaturated solution by heating up water and adding in the crystal medium. This is an example of creating a supersaturated Borax solution. | + | *detergents |
| + | *cosmetics | ||
| + | *enamel glazes | ||
| + | *fire retardant | ||
| + | *buffer solutions | ||
| + | Other names for borax are sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate. From a chemical standpoint, the [B4O5(OH)4]2− ion is what identifies something as borax. | ||
| + | ==Borax Crystals== | ||
| + | The most general way to grow a crystal includes forming a supersaturated solution by heating up water and adding in the crystal medium. This is an example of creating a supersaturated Borax solution. | ||
| + | ===General Procedure=== | ||
| − | For a general procedure, the following | + | For a general procedure, the following links can be used: |
[https://www.thoughtco.com/diy-giant-borax-crystals-606240] | [https://www.thoughtco.com/diy-giant-borax-crystals-606240] | ||
[https://www.danslelakehouse.com/2015/01/diy-borax-crystals.html] | [https://www.danslelakehouse.com/2015/01/diy-borax-crystals.html] | ||
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# suspend the pipe cleaner in the beaker so it is completely submerged but doesn't touch the bottom or sides | # suspend the pipe cleaner in the beaker so it is completely submerged but doesn't touch the bottom or sides | ||
# Cover the finished solution with something(a watchglass or paper) and let it sit overnight. | # Cover the finished solution with something(a watchglass or paper) and let it sit overnight. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | "Borax (Na2B4O7·10H2O ) – Sodium Borate – Occurrence, Discovery and Applications". Amoz.com. 2004-08-16. | ||
Revision as of 18:18, 18 April 2019
An example of what a crystal can look like [2]
Borax Background
From the wikipedia page on Borax [3]
Borax is a water-soluble mineral that can be found naturally in deposits produced by the evaporation of lakes; in fact, it was first discovered in dry lake beds in Tibet[4]. It is a soft, white crystal powder that is commonly found in:
- detergents
- cosmetics
- enamel glazes
- fire retardant
- buffer solutions
Other names for borax are sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate. From a chemical standpoint, the [B4O5(OH)4]2− ion is what identifies something as borax.
Borax Crystals
The most general way to grow a crystal includes forming a supersaturated solution by heating up water and adding in the crystal medium. This is an example of creating a supersaturated Borax solution.
General Procedure
For a general procedure, the following links can be used: [5] [6]
The following is the procedure that I followed:
- Obtain Borax Detergent, a 250 mL beaker, a stirplate/hotplate, and a stirbar.
- Begin heating up the water on the hotplate and add the stirbar.
- Once hot, begin adding the Borax Detergent (It will take some time for it to dissolve, but it eventually will).
- Keep adding until the Borax will no longer dissolve
- Use pipe cleaners to create a shape in which you want the crystals to form on
- tie a string to the pipe cleaner to a wooden skewer or some object that can drape across the diameter of the beaker
- dip the pipe cleaner into the supersaturated solution several times to release air bubbles
- suspend the pipe cleaner in the beaker so it is completely submerged but doesn't touch the bottom or sides
- Cover the finished solution with something(a watchglass or paper) and let it sit overnight.
References
"Borax (Na2B4O7·10H2O ) – Sodium Borate – Occurrence, Discovery and Applications". Amoz.com. 2004-08-16.