How to Make Crystals From Epsom Salt – “Frosted” Windows in 4 Easy Steps

In this activity we are going to learn how to make crystals from Epsom salt using a piece of glass (A piece of glass from a picture frame works perfectly!)

The result is a beautiful “frosted” window! So many beautiful crystal formations appear; this activity is a favorite for our family.

Epsom salt is a compound made up of magnesium and sulfate. More specifically, it is crystallized magnesium sulfate. It is not the same as the table salt we use on food. In fact, it is much more biter than iodized salt.

As we learn how to make crystals from epsom salt, we’ll also learn about the following chemistry concepts:

• How water molecules act at different temperatures
• Changing states of matter (specifically the changing of water into gas via evaporation)
• How and why crystals form

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How To Make Crystals from Epsom Salt 

 

Some Chemistry Background

Before completing this activity, it is helpful to go over some information about molecules and evaporation. This will help our students understand why and how the magnesium sulfate crystals form.

Water Molecules and Temperature

Before we get started making crystals, the first step is to boil water. Let’s look at what happens to water molecules when they are heated, when they are at room temperature, and when the molecules are at freezing or lower (32 degrees Fahrenheit.)

• The first thing to explain to your child is that everything in our world is made up of matter.
• Matter contains atoms; these atoms are so small that we cannot see them without the use of a special microscope.
• Atoms are made of electrons and quarks.
• Atoms come together to form molecules.
• A water molecule is made up of 2 hydrogen and 1 oxygen atom.

Water molecules are moving, but we cannot see them. Look at the picture below, it shows how water molecules behave when heated and cooled:

• When water boils ( 212 degrees Fahrenheit), the molecules move fast and there is a lot of space between the molecules
• When water is at room temperature, the molecules move slower than when the water is boiling. The atoms are a little closer together.
• When water is colder, the molecules move much slower and the molecules are much closer together.

Next, let’s talk about evaporation. Evaporation plays a key role in the forrmation of the crystals in this activity.

Water can exist as a solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapor). These are called states of matter. Evaporation is the process in which a liquid  changes to a gaseous state (also called vapor.) Water begins to evaporate if the temperature is above freezing, which is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmer the temperature is, the faster water will evaporate.

If you wipe a surface with a water-soaked sponge, the water will evaporate, but we don’t really see the water vapor as the water evaporates. In the illustration, we can see the water evaporating in the form of water vapor (a gas).

As we learn how to make crystals from Epsom salt, water evaporation happens at two times. First, when we boil water before adding it to the Epsom salt. Then, when we put the water and Epsom salt mixture on the glass and the water in the mixture begins to evaporate into the air.

Now that we have reviewed some key concepts, let’s make some crystals from Epsom salt, and we’ll continue our chemistry discussion when we discuss the results.

Instructions for Making Crystals with Epsom Salt

What Happened? How Did We Make Crystals from Epsom Salt?

 

As water is heated, the water molecules move more rapidly, causing more space between the molecules. (Refer to the first diagram above.) This increases the volume and the water becomes less dense. When we mix the boiling water with the Epsom salt, the salt is able to dissolve and move into the empty spaces between the water molecules. See the diagram below.

As the Epsom salt is stirred into the boiling water, the heated water molecules have greater space between them and the Epsom salt molecules move into the spaces. When there is no more space, the solution is saturated, and will not hold any more. The solution will look cloudy when we stir it, because there is no more room for the salt molecules in between the water molecules, so they do not dissolve.

See the diagram below.

 

The salt molecules are not changing, so this is not a chemical reaction. The salt atoms are dissolving.

As the mixture on the glass dries, the water cools, and more space is created between water molecules. This forces the Epsom salt out as a solid.

At the same time, the water begins the evaporation process. Evaporation is when the water changes from a solid into a gas. This gas is called water vapor.

The Epsom salt does not evaporate. The salt molecules have clumped together, forming crystals.

This process is called re-crystallization.

Take lots of photos of the crystals! We used this phone attachment to get close-up photos.

 

 

 

Related Resources:

After learning how to make crystals from epsom salt, check out these resources:

• Add this activity to a snowflake study. Check out our snowflake resources (and a printable lesson)
• CalTech has some excellent information and photos about different types of frost.