Crystal chemistry

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.

1. What is a crystal?

Summary

Students reflect on their existing ideas about crystals, before looking at a range of solid substances using a hand lens and recording their observations. After deciding which of the substances are crystals, students work through a series of questions to check and develop their understanding of some of the key properties of crystals.

2. Did you know about diamonds?

Summary

Students read a short text providing background information about diamonds. They then answer two questions designed to reinforce their understanding of the process behind the formation of diamonds, and why large diamonds are so rare.

3. Growing crystals: big or small?

Summary

Students conduct a practical experiment to investigate the effect of temperature upon crystal growth. They then work through a series of questions individually or in groups, identifying key differences between the crystals grown at higher temperatures and those grown at lower temperatures.

4. Growing crystals of ‘potash alum’

Summary

Students conduct a practical experiment in two stages to grow a crystal of ‘potash alum’ (or aluminium potassium sulfate). They then answer questions to check and reinforce their understanding of key points relating to the process, chemicals and apparatus involved in growing crystals.

The worksheet also features a list of possible extension experiments and suggested questions for investigation.

5. The body beautiful: protein crystals

Summary

Students read an interview with a protein scientist, exploring the process used to grow protein crystals in a laboratory. Students can also enact this interview if there is sufficient time. They then check and develop their understanding of what they have read through questions which address the methods described, the properties of proteins and the importance of growing protein crystals for science.

An additional handout provides further context and background information about x-ray crystallography.

Additional resources

• Try this complete lesson plan designed to investigate the fact and fiction behind claims about the properties of crystals.
• Find out more about the shape and formation of snowflakes using the handout ‘Did you know about snow?’ (includes questions for students).
• Download this ‘Key words’ handout to help students reinforce their knowledge of key terms relating to the chemistry of crystals.