In this article we will discuss how are crystals formed. The process of crystals formation and crystal growth is called "nucleation". In simple words, this is the process in which the molecules of the particular element start combining with each other and create crystal or grow the size of crystal. There are two different types of nucleation process. To understand the process of crystal formation and growth, let us study these two types of crystal formation processess, in detail. The two types are "unassisted nucleation" and "assisted nucleation".
( growing crystals -See at the bottom of the glass)
How are crystals formed by "Unassisted Nucleation"?
As the name indicates, this is the process of crystals formation which is initiated by the molecules themselves without the assistance of some other solid material in the solution. In every solution there are two basic things solvent and solute. For example when sugar is mixed in the water, the water is called solvent(major part) and sugar is called solute (minor part). Usually the solute molecules attract each other, but this attraction force is very weak and cannot result in the crystals formation. But in case, if the solute molecules are in the pure form, there may be some stronger forces of attraction among them. In this case the
solute molecules start aggregating and grow in size.
When the solute molecules are combines with each other, the other forces in the solution try to separate them again. But when the number of molecules, attaching with each other are increased the opposing forces are reduced. Now, the molecules of the solute start aggregating at a faster rate and a reasonable size is formed. This aggregation of the solute molecules is called the "protocrystal". This can be said as the pre form of real crystals. When these protocrystal are formed and are floating in the solution the tendency to attract other solute molecules is increased many folds and more and more molecules are attracted and the size of protocrystal increases. Now you can say that the crystal is formed in the solution. The size of the crystal keeps on growing in the solution. This is how are crystals formed and are grown in the solution.
The size of crystal keeps on growing but it stops the further growth, when an equilibrium is created between the solute molecules in the solution and in the crytal inside. Now the maximum size of crystal is formed and will not grow any more in the solution.
This was the process of crystal formation and growth with the unassisted nucleation process.
How are crystals formed by "assisted Nucleation" process?
The Assisted nucleation process of crystals formation and growth is very similar to unassisted method. The only difference is that another solid substance is added in the solution to start the process of molecules aggregation. When the solute molecules have not enough strong attraction between them then this process is used to make the crystals. Let me explain in a little detail the crystal formation with the process of assisted nucleation.
In this process, a solid thing like a brick or stone or some other thing is added in the solution. When this solid thing is added in the solution, the solute molecules are adsorbed in its surface for a longer time. During this time more and more solute molecules are adsorbed on the surface and gives the solute molecules a chance and place to combine with each other. The reason is that the solid stone resists the forces that try to separate the solute molecules in the solution. When a sufficient number of solute molecules are adsorbed on the surface, a protocrystal is formed. Now the rest of the process is same as was in the unassisted nucleation.
Now this precrystal floats in the solution and attracts more and more solute molecules and its size becomes bigger and bigger. When the equilibrium is made between the solute molecules of solution and precrystal, the further growth is stopped and a full size crystal is formed in the solution.
How to make the size of crystal growing ?
If you want to increase the size of crystal and want the crystal growing more, then add more solute in the solution. This will result in the growth of the crystal size and crystal growing will be increased. But don't try to heat up the solution. Increase in temperature will break the crystal and the solute molecules will be again separated and dissolved in the solution and the growing crystals will be ceased.
(how are crystals formed)
OOTrend Jewelry hope that this article has helped you much, to understand how can crystals be formed and how can you make the size of and understand the concept of crystal growinggrowing crystals.
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