Crystal chemistry

A photograph of part of a crystal of sodium arsenate under polarized light, highlighting its crystalline structure against a black background

Source: © Xvision / Getty Images

Find practical experiments, an interview and other activities for 11–16 year olds, examining the chemistry of crystals in scientific and everyday contexts.

In this set of activities, students enhance their understanding of a range of ideas relating to the chemistry of crystals. Suitable for 11–16 year olds, the resources draw on familiar and scientific contexts and feature activities ranging from practical experiments to an interview with a protein scientist. Stimulate and engage your students while exploring:

The properties of crystals
How crystals form and how they can be grown
How crystals can be used to study body chemicals like DNA and proteins
Different beliefs about crystals

Each activity includes instructions for students, as well as editable worksheets and resources available for download.

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