Moon Rocks that are Blue

[30 Minutes]

Crystallography is divided into six systems and thirty two classes. Diamonds and salt fall into the same hexagonal system, but into different classes. Experiment with salt and laundry bluing to observe how crystals form.

You'll need:

• vegetable trays or frozen food trays • newspaper • magnifying glass • paper towels • paper cup • 3 Tbsp. (tablespoon) salt • 3 Tbsp. (tablespoon) water • 3 Tbsp. (tablespoon) laundry bluing, found in grocery stores, (Read warnings on packaging.) • spoon

What to do:

1. If possible, print out these directions. Read them through before you begin.
2. Gather everything you’ll need and always remember science safety.
3. Cover the work area with newspaper. Place one paper towel in the tray.
4. Crush the second paper towel and place it on top.
5. Mix the salt, the water, and laundry bluing in the paper cup.
6. Slowly spoon the mixture over the paper towels. Observe what happens.
7. To create a full crystal garden, leave the mixture on the paper towels for 24 hours.

Useful information:

The paper towel is saturated by the salt and bluing solution. No more can be dissolved. As the water evaporates, the salt left behind forms crystals around the bluing.