Crystallization

What is crystallization? It is the process of formation of solid crystals precipitating from a solution, melt or most rarely deposited directly from a gas. The process of crystallization consists of nucleation and crystal growth.

Nucleation is the process where solute molecules dispersed in the solvent start to gather in clusters. However, for nucleation to take place, the clusters must be stable, or they would redissolve. Therefore, the solution must be saturated in order for crystallization to take place. The stable clusters constitutes to the nuclei. The nuclei would then cause more precipitation to occur. The process of nucleation is also when the atoms would move to form an atomic structure of a crystal.

Then, crystal growth is the subsequent growth of the nuclei that succeed in achieving the critical cluster size. As this is happening, nucleation continues to take place. This two processes can continue to take place in the presence of existing supersaturation. Depending on the conditions, either nucleation would predominant over growth or the other way round. This results in the different shapes and sizes of crystals.

The Maic UFO

The above video shows how a top can float in midair.

In order to achieve this, you have to fulfill several conditions. The first condition is to get the correct weight of the top. You might have to try several times. Why do you need the correct weight? the following diagram will explain it.

This is how the Magic UFO works. The magnetic repulsions force and the weight and gravity acting on the top must be equal. If the magnetic repulsion force is greater than the weight and gravity acting on the top, then the top would fly away. If it is the other way round, the top would not be able to float up.

Another important condition to fulfill would be the balance of the magnetic plate. It is somewhat the same logic as the first condition. If the plate is tilted on side of the magnetic repulsion force would not be equal and thus the top would not be able to fly properly.

I have drawn this picture and hopefully it can help you understand better. The orange part is where the magnetic repulsion force comes from. As you can see, it is in a round shape. As the force acting on the top is in a round shape, it sort of supports the top and keeps it in position- the middle. Thus if we tilt the plate, we can say that the repulsion acting on different parts of the top are different.

If you have the chance, you should try it one day. It is really fun.

Thank you for reading!

Is instant formation of ice possible?

Is instant formation of ice possible? Is water able to turn into ice instantly? YES. It is possible.However, to achieve it, one must be very lucky or must have a lot of patience and time. Why. I will come to that when explaining the entire process. Just to note, it is different from crystallization.

So, how is it possible? First to achieve this, we will need a freezer, water in bottles will be good and time. All you need to do is to put the bottles with water into the freezer and wait for the correct time. Once the time is right, remove the bottles from the freezer. Don't ask me when the time is right. It depends on the water and many other factors. Thus to be able to witness the instant freezing of the liquid is very hard and rare. After taking the bottles out, just shake them or put them down hard on the table.

The water temperature may have fallen below 0 degrees but it may not freeze as the water molecules are not active. When the bottle containing the water is put down hard onto a table, a sudden force is applied, causing the molecules to move suddenly. This will cause the water to freeze instantly.

Cool info. Stay tuned for more!

Dry Ice

What is dry ice? It is something that is sometimes refereed to as "cardice" or "card ice". It is the solid form of carbon dioxide. It is used as a cooling agent. Some of its advantages include lower temperatures than water ice and not leaving any residue. It is good for preserving frozen food, ice cream when mechanical cooling is not available. The temperature of dry ice is below -56.4 degrees. Dry ice in soap water will cause foam to be produced for a very long time. A lot of foam.

Another cool fact about dry ice is that any bubbles formed with dry ice will not burst that easily and you can even make the bubbles bounce on your sleeves if you are wearing shirt of the correct material. You can even make it role down cloth of the correct material. In the below picture, the white round objects are bubbles formed with dry ice!

Dry ice can cause many problems too if not treated properly. As dry ice is below the temperature of -56.4 degrees, you can get frostbites if there is any direct contact with the skin. Not only so, if dry ice is kept in any sealed or tight containers, for example water bottles, IT WILL CAUSE THE CONTAINER TO EXPLODE!

Introduction of myself!

Hi everyone, my name is Goh Arnold and I am from Hwa Chong Institution, class 2o3.

I am the boring type of person who does not like to be involved in class gatherings and parties. I find them a waste of time and useless. I do not like to go out into the public with a large group of friends as I find it very rowdy and that in others eyes, the group is making a nuisance of themselves and I do not want to be part of it unless the reason of being in the public with friends was for CIP.

My life is being suspended between home and school and nothing else. It may seemed boring to many others. However to me, being able to find joy in my daily life is something very interesting.

I used to be known as the fruit king as I loved most of the fruits and ate a large amount of it after meals. Pole Vaulting is my CCA.

Since young, I had been very curious about everything. I remembered my mum telling me that I used to squat beside grass patches and scrutinising the bugs in the grass.

Under my wish list- A1 for Science

Thank you reading!