Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I have just started my sugar crystals (Made the solution and everything.) But, I was wondering, When I made the seed crystals, by soaking the string in water, and rolling it in sugar, how does this act like a seed crystal? When you put it in the water, wouldn't all the sugar on the string dissolve in the water? I just dont want to get a 0 on my science fair for no data, because it didn't work. Thanks, I am very concerned.

AnthonyZero - When you make your sugar solution you are heating the liquid and dissolving sugar to the point where the solution is 'saturated' with sugar. As the temperature of the liquid cools, the sugar will tend to precipitate to the bottom of the container. The alternative, is to place a 'seed' crystal or crystals into the solution so that the excess sugar doesn't simply precipitate, but instead, 'grows' onto the lattice structure of the sugar crystal you placed on the string and inserted into the saturated solution. Your seed crystals will not dissolve into the liquid because the liquid is already saturated at that temperature and as the temperature continues to fall, more of the dissolved sugar will grow onto the seeded string.

Rick Marz