The Growth in Mass of Borax

Crystals
KathyJo Buiteweg Cousino HS
Alexandra Costanzo Lake Shore HS

Table of Contents

Background Info
Problem Statement
Hypothesis
Materials
Procedure
Observations
Data Collected
Conclusions
Everyday Uses
Errors
Further Research
Acknowledgements
Buiteweg Costanzo

Background Info
Borax: laundry detergent that comes from
ground up Borax crystals

http://www.galleries.com/minerals/carbonat/borax/borax.jpg

http://image.made-in-china.com/4f0j00LMAtmudGEHze/BoraxAnhydrous-Pentahydrate-Decahydrate.jpg

Buiteweg Costanzo

How do crystals form?

Formed when the solvent (water) releases
the extra solute it can no longer hold onto

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Why?
Interesting topic
To reverse the process of crystal
formation
Remake the real world

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Problem Statement
How will the different amounts
of Borax and the different
temperatures kept at, effect
the mass of the Borax crystals
over a time period of 4 days?
Buiteweg Costanzo

Hypothesis
The researchers believe that
the high amount of borax, 57.5
grams, and high temperature,
38C, will have produced the
largest crystals in mass.
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Materials

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Experimental Values
Amount of Borax
(grams)
-

Standard

37.5

47.5

Temperature
( Celsius)
-

57.5 11

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Standard

21

38

Procedure
1. Set up the pipe cleaners and popsicle
sticks
2. Create solution
3. Label everything
4. Place pipe cleaner in solution
5. Set cup in temperature assigned
6. Mass each day for four days
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Number Crunching
Crystal Growth (g)
(Borax Amount (g), Temperature ( C))
DOE

15 | 34.98 | 16.22 | 21.59 | 10.96 | --

(+,+)

(+,-)

(-,+)

(-,-)

Standard

13.36

23.47

14.18

12.33

23.99

12.93

21.98

9.12

11.77

22.73

25.57

24.15

12.12

15.07

--

25.33

23.19

9.77

13.37

--

22.33

24.17

8.68

14.44

--

22.94

18.95

13.06

16.52

19.75

13.65

16.95

10.65

13.73

21.16

22.81

19.33

10.68

12.53

--

27.45

19.56

12.8

12.07

--

10

13.93

18.95

12.04

13.71

--

11

27.7

18.32

12.68

11.71

15.59

12

26.01

21.06

12.31

12.47

--

13

26.17

21.33

14.71

12.44

--

14

26.38

19.75

13.65

10.81

--

15

34.98

16.22

21.59

10.96

--

Average

22.77

20.49

12.54

12.93

20.64

Average | 22.77 | 20.49 | 12.54 | 12.93 | 20.64

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Observations
Date

Observations

3/12/2012

started the trials

3/13/2012

Cup 18, the stick fell into the water

3/15/2012

Cup 5 and 20 fell in

3/20/2012

Cup 38 fell in

3/21/2012

noticed different crystals forming

3/22/2012

(+,+) = flakey crystals;

(-,+) = block crystals;
all others = normal

3/27/2012

Cups 45, 47, 48, 49, 57, 52, 54 fell in

3/28/2012

the cups that fell in are increasing faster than

the one that didnt

3/29/2012

Cup 49 in the biggest because it fell into the

solution and the crystals started to grow on the
popsicle stick

3/30/2012

Last day of trials

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Any Effects?
Borax Effect Variable

Crystal Growth Average (g)

Main Effect of Borax

25

21.63

20

12.54
20.49
Avg =12.74 Avg =21.63

15
12.74

Borax Amount (g)

-1
1
12.93
22.77

10
5
0

-1

Main Effect of Borax

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Any Effects?
Temperature Effect Variable
Temperature
-1
1
12.93
22.77

20.49
12.54
Avg =16.71 Avg =17.66

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Interactions?
Was there an interaction?
Temperature

Interaction Effect

(-)
Crystal Growth (g)

25
20
15
10
5

Borax
Amount (+)
22.77

Borax
Amount (+)
20.49

Effect of
Borax (-)
12.54

Effect of
Borax (-)
12.93

Solid
Seg.

(+)

(+)

20.49 22.77
Borax
Amount Dotted
(-)
Seg.
12.93 12.54

0
-1

1
Tem perature ( C)

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Standards
Standards (g)

Five Standard Runs

Crystal Growth (g)

30

23.99 22.73 19.75 21.16 15.59

25
20
15
10
5
0
0

Standards

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What does all this mean?

Crystal Growth Average (g)

Main Effect of Borax

25

21.63

20
15
12.74

10
5
0

-1

Main Effect of Borax

Interaction Effect

Five Standard Runs

20
15
10
5

Borax
Amount (+)
22.77

Borax
Amount (+)
20.49

Effect of
Borax (-)
12.54

Effect of
Borax (-)
12.93

30

Crystal Growth (g)

Crystal Growth (g)

25

0
-1

25
20
15
10
5
0

Tem perature ( C)

Standards

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Restating the Hypothesis

The researchers believe that
the high amount of borax, 57.5
grams, and high temperature,
38C, will have produced the
largest crystals in mass.
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Conclusion
The hypothesis was

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Everyday Uses

Detergent
Deodorizer
Bug repellent
Fire retardant

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Errors
Crystals on the popsicle
stick
No tape

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Further Research
Extreme temperatures
Higher amounts of Borax

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Acknowledgements
Mrs. Hilliard for providing weigh boats and the
chemistry behind the crystal formation

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QUESTIONS??

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