Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

When a supersaturated salt solution settles, how is it always able to form the shape of a crystal structure? How is able to form sides and smooth surfaces, as well as irregularities and points?

Hi,

Your question is really about the chemistry of crystal growth which is more appropriate for the physical sciences forum. Chemical compounds like sodium chloride always crystallize in the same form because of their atomic structure and how one ion interacts with another.

Here's some more information:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... -crystals/
http://www.mateck.com/index.php?option= ... 5&Itemid=6
http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/un ... .05.x.html

If you have a specific project in mind involving crystals, tell us about it and we can help you with the hypothesis and designing the experiments.

Sybee