This hands-on chemistry experiment offers students an opportunity to explore crystallization and the conservation of energy. The experiment utilizes a 3" x 3" pouch of supercooled sodium acetate, which visually demonstrates the process of crystallization and the subsequent release of latent heat. The experiment is indefinitely repeatable, as students can simply boil and cool the pouch to return its contents to the supercooled state.

 

This experiment can be used to introduce concepts such as conservation of energy to students of all ages. Additionally, it can be used to explain various weather phenomena, such as hail or the hydrological cycle. The experiment comes with an instructional guide that covers practical applications, history, and instructions for both qualitative and quantitative experiments.

 

With this experiment, students can not only observe the process of crystallization but also understand the underlying scientific principles that govern this process. They can learn how energy is conserved in the process of crystallization and how this relates to larger natural phenomena. By touching and manipulating the experiment, students can gain a deeper understanding of the chemical reactions that occur during crystallization.