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Sedimentation and Crystallization: How to Make Egg Geodes!

1/30/2015

4 Comments

 
Author: Maddie Van Beek

Once again, we are going to be using eggs to learn about science! In the past, we’ve used eggs to learn about osmosis and acid-base reactions. Today, we are focusing on sedimentation and crystallization. After you learn about these concepts, you are going to make egg geodes! 


Geode: A rock containing a cavity lined with crystals or other minerals. 

Picture
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT_GjpqmXlQj2epq_4o9LSsZUE3lYdPjFdxTbTgzfVg-O_-V0JXfA
Picture
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Ametyst-geode.jpg


First of all, sedimentation is...

The process by which particles (solute) suspended in a fluid (solvent) eventually come to rest due to the forces, such as gravity, acting on them. 

Note:  The solute and the solvent (the particles and the liquid they are suspended in) come together to form a solution.

Picture
http://www.sswm.info/sites/default/files/toolbox/CASIDAY%20ET%20AL%201999%20Sedimentation.jpg


Crystallization
is....


The process in which solid crystals precipitate from a solution or melt (Crystallization can also occur when crystals form from a gas, but this is rare. In our activity today, we are focusing on crystals that form from a solution).  

Can you think of a time that you’ve seen crystallization in the real world? I can! Back in November of last year, we did a snow blog (to see it, click here)! Snow flake formation is just one form of crystallization. Another form of crystallization is with natural crystals or gemstones. This takes a LONG TIME. 

Check out this video to see crystallization in action!


Now that you know a little bit about sedimentation and crystallization, try it out for yourself!


This is what you will be creating!

Picture
http://www.marthastewart.com/sites/files/marthastewart.com/images/content/tv/martha_stewart_show/show_photos/6101_6150/6134_041311_egg_geodes_hd.jpg
YOU WILL NEED:
  • Eggs
  • Push pin
  • Bowl
  • Small scissors
  • White glue
  • Small paintbrush
  • Egg dye or liquid food dye
  • Hot water
  • Spoon
  • Cup or container 
  • Drying area (rack, plate, or newspaper would work fine)
  • Alum powder--pictured below. You should be able to find Alum powder at any grocery store.


Picture
http://theodoregray.com/periodictable/Samples/Alum2/s14s.JPG)


HERE’S WHAT TO DO!

1. Have you ever blown out eggs before you decorate them for Easter? That’s the first step to making egg geodes! You will need to carefully poke a hole in both the top and the bottom of the egg with the push pin. When you poke the hole, wiggle the pin around a bit to make the hole bigger. This will make it easier to blow the egg out of the shell.


2. Hold the egg over a bowl and blow on the top of the egg. The egg inside the shell should come out the bottom of the egg into the bowl. You can either throw the egg away, or go ahead and make an omelet! I suggest using your resources to have a great breakfast while you create your geodes :] 
Picture
http://harmonioushomestead.com//wp-content/uploads/2011/04/blowing-egg1.jpg
3. This part is tricky. Now that you have an empty egg shell, you will need to use a small scissors to break the shell in half the long way. Don’t worry about it being perfect. As long as you have somewhat of a bowl shape, you are good to go. If your eggshell completely shatters, just blow out another egg and try again!


4. Again, you will have to be extremely careful in this step! Use a piece of paper towel to wipe the inside of the egg clean. Next, use the small paintbrush to coat the inside of the shell with white glue. Before the glue dries, sprinkle the Alum powder generously over the glue so that it coats the whole inside of the eggshell. 


5. WAIT!!! Your eggshell has to dry completely before you can move on. Leave it to dry overnight. 


6. Up and at ‘em? Back to the grind! Measure two cups of water and heat it up. You can either heat it to boiling on the stove or put it in a microwave-safe container and heat the water in the microwave.  Two to three minutes on HIGH should do the trick. 


7. CAREFULLY pour the heated water into the cup or container that you plan on using to create your egg geodes. 


8. Use a generous amount of food coloring to dye the water--30-40 drops is sufficient. 


9. Add 3/4 cup of Alum powder to the colored water and stir it with a spoon until the powder is completely dissolved. 


10. Let the Alum solution cool down for approximately 30 minutes. 


11. Once the solution has cooled down, use a spoon to submerge your Alum-coated eggshell. Make sure the open side is facing up, and the eggshell is resting on the bottom of the container. 


12. Now, the waiting game! Leave your eggshell to sit in the solution for 12-15 hours. Make sure you place the container in a safe place where no one will knock it over! 


13. After 12-15 hours, prepare a drying area. Use a drying rack, newspaper, or paper plate. Use a spoon to remove the eggshell from the solution.


14. Check it out! How has your eggshell transformed? Make sure to take pictures and write down your observations!


FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
  1. What happened to your eggshell? Describe the change it went through. 
  2. How can you relate your eggshell’s transformation to sedimentation and crystallization? 
  3. Try to explain the process your eggshell went through. 
  4. When does sedimentation and/or crystallization occur in real life? 


Here’s another fun activity about creating Alum crystals that will teach you a little more about crystallization! 






References:

  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystallization
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedimentation
  • http://www.marthastewart.com/343344/crystal-egg-geodes
  • http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/incredible-egg-geode
4 Comments
Dinah
8/30/2017 03:17:12 pm

I tried this with some kids however after the 12-15 hrs, the eggshell crystal washed away. How come it didn't work? Maybe it wasn't enough alum powder?

Reply
Dr. E
8/31/2017 08:59:56 am

Hi Dinah. I suspect you are right, your alum solution may not have been super-saturated enough. Try using double the amount, don't worry if not all the alum dissolves. It's also possible you may have had a very small crack in your egg shell, and a lot of the alum leaked out instead of crystallizing on the outside. To be sure that's not the case, always fill the egg shell with some water and let it sit for 10 minutes on a dry paper towel first, just to be sure no water leaks out!

Reply
Lindsey link
3/13/2018 12:58:27 pm

Can i use gel food dye for this experiment?

Reply
Dr. E
3/14/2018 12:50:10 pm

Hi Lindsey,
I'd be concerned that the gel would not crystallize well. It typically has a glycerin or corn syrup base that may interfere with the development of crystals. Your best bet would be to purchase some liquid color!

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