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How to Compare Salt and Sugar Crystals

Table salt and sugar are both crystals in their solid form. They look very similar but chemically are quit different. Salt is a simple inorganic, ionic compound, NaCl--one sodium atom and one chlorine atom. Sucrose is a much larger organic molecule, consisting of 12 carbon atoms, 22 hydrogen atoms and 11 oxygen atoms. The easiest way to tell them apart is by taste, but it is also possible to distinguish them by looking at their color and crystal structure.

Things You'll Need

Magnifying glass
Table salt
White granulated sugar
Black construction paper or other black surface

Instructions

- 1
  Pour a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of sugar onto opposite ends of a sheet of black construction paper.
- 2
  Spread the piles out so you can see individual crystals against the black background. Look at them closely, first with the naked eye, then with a magnifying glass.
- 3
  Note any visual differences between the crystals. You should see that the salt crystals are more regular than the sugar crystals. They should all be shaped like dice, with six sides. By contrast, the sugar crystals will be rougher and more rectangular.
- 4
  Note the color difference between the salt and the sugar. The salt crystals will be whiter and duller whereas sugar crystals will be more clear and have more of a sparkle.

Rocks & Minerals