Dear Evette,
If I was is your situation (explaining nucleation and other concept). I
will discuss in terms of energy.
I mean obtaining the initial nuclei is the "costly" step in terms of
energy. To represent that, out the classical curve of energy, I will use
a metaphoric representation such as jump over a barrier and run after.
With this analogy, it's possible to explain that the first step is
difficult and the second more accessible. If the barrier is to high,
it's impossible to continue and run. If you don't have any barrier it's
easy to run and if you only have a small barrier is not to difficult to
jump over and run. But It also allow you to explain that if you
facilitate the apparition of the first "surface" thanks to appropriate
method (seeding, dust...) you can help the first step (to continue with
the barrier story, it like you have ladder to help, or the ability to
decrease the size of the barrier.
For why the crystal and how, I will maybe use the example of orange
pyramid in the food store. Orange are stable together because they have
enough contact, because they have relatively homogeneous shape. If you
mixed orange with water melon it's difficult to obtain nice pyramid.
For crystallization experiment which work, I have no Idea out of the one
you already mentioned.
Hope this help.
Nicolas
Nicolas Foos
PhD
Structural Biology Group
European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (E.S.R.F)
71, avenue des Martyrs
CS 40220
38043 GRENOBLE Cedex 9
+33 (0)6 76 88 14 87
+33 (0)4 76 88 45 19
On 30/12/2016 11:06, Radisky, Evette S., Ph.D. wrote:
Can anyone point to some especially useful resources to help explain
to kids (pre-chemistry, ~age 10-12) how and why molecules crystallize?
Maybe a good online movie or animation? I am especially needing help
with the concept of nucleation, and why nucleation is slower and then
crystal growth faster once nuclei have formed. I have been
supervising some experiments growing sucrose crystals from
supersaturated solutions, which have worked really well, but I am
having more difficulty in explaining the underlying fundamental
concepts in a way that is understandable to the kids.
Thanks!
Evette
Evette Radisky, PhD
Associate Professor of Cancer Biology
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
Griffin Cancer Research Building
4500 San Pablo Road <x-apple-data-detectors://3/0>
Jacksonville, FL 32224 <x-apple-data-detectors://3/0>
tel: 904-953-6372 <tel:904-953-6372>
fax: 904-953-0277 <tel:904-953-0277>
