How to Make Liquid Bluing Coal Crystals

Place the pieces of coal in a shallow glass dish. Arrange the coal in the center of the dish.

Measure 6 tablespoons of liquid bluing, 6 tablespoons of table salt, 6 tablespoons of water and 1 tablespoon of ammonia. Combine these ingredients together in a mixing bowl.

Stir the ingredients together with a plastic spoon. According to the experts at Oregon State University College of Engineering. the ammonia speeds up evaporation. The faculty of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin explains that evaporation is one of the easiest ways to make crystals. The faster the solution evaporates, the faster the crystals will form and the smaller they will be. The liquid bluing is important to this process because it introduces blue particles to the solution that act as seed crystals.

Pour the solution over and around the pieces of coal. The porous quality of the coal wicks the solution up away from the bottom of the dish and into the coal. The educators at Oregon State University College of Engineering note that the wick effect is called capillary action. The capillary action is important because it causes the crystals to form on the coal, and not just the sides of the dish.

Add a few drops of food coloring. Sprinkle different colors onto different areas of the coal pile to create different crystal colors. This step is optional. If you do not use food coloring, the crystals will be white.

Monitor the crystal growth. As the water begins to evaporate, crystals will form around the pieces of coal. You should notice small crystals forming on the coal within a few hours. Depending on temperature and humidity levels, crystals may grow for several days. If you want the crystals to continue to form and get bigger, add more solution and omit the ammonia.