We think the more sugar we use, the faster and bigger the crystals form and the less we use, the slower and smaller the crystals form throughout the time period of 10 days.

How was it discovered:China A monk in Sichuan Province had discovered that if you boil the juice from sugar cane, it will become this thick liquid that can be molded into shards and shapes. This liquid would eventually crystallize into into hard, translucent formations. This process was named bīngtáng  (冰糖).  How was it discovered:Papua New Guinea About 10 000 years ago, farmers from Papua New Guinea started domesticating sugar cane. This then spread Southeast Asia where it became a stable food source. Sugar cane, and treats alike, are still sold and produced today in many ethnic stores. You can also find these as “swizzle sticks” for cocktails. You can enjoy this with Caipirinha.  How was it discovered:India Sugar was very important in Ancient India. Confectioners discovered that if a solution with  sugar was cooled, crystals would form. The Ancient Indians called it Mishri and ate it as a sweet and as a remedy for sore throats, stomach aches and for strength. In sanskrit, it was called khanda (Piece of sugar). Evolution:  The technique of making rock candy spread from Europe in the Middle Ages. Originally used as ointments for sickness such as coughs and sore throats. In the 17th century Rock Candy became more widely available in Europe and evolved into a sweet treat rather than a medical product. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Rock Candy became a very sweet and normalized treat. Particularly in Britain and America, people began to use it as sweeteners for their teas and coffees or using it as a treat to suck on. In America, it was used as a sweetener for lemonade. It was also used to make a variety of other candy like taffy.  How its formed: When the water dissolves as much sugar as possible in the water-sugar solution, it becomes supersaturated which is needed for the entire process. the remaining sugar that has not been dissolved or been put in becomes the seed crystal (the base for the crystals to grow). Because of the saturated solution, the sugar molecules bump into each other and stick together, starting the crystallization process. The entire process is called nucleation. The rock candy will form an orderly crystal pattern.

1. Sugar. How little can we add until it is no longer considered Rock Candy? How much can we add?
2. Temperature. How does the temperature affect the growing process? Does it take longer or shorter?
3. Time. How does the time change the size of the rock candy? Does the longer time make the crystals grow bigger?

One part of water equals three parts of sugar Put one cup of water in a bowl, then add three cups of sugar Mix until thoroughly mixed Put skewer in water then roll/coat in sugar. (It will create seed crystals) Set skewer on wax paper till dry Place sugar water on stove and turn to high, stir faster once it boils Remove from burner once boiled Pour in glass where you are making crystals Let solution cool Place sugar coated skewer in water and hold with a clip Set in cool and dry place for 6 - 10 days

day 1 The sugar started to form a thin crust day 2 There are visible seed crystals formed day 3 rapid growth starts and you can see it growing day 4 the small crystals start to transform into bigger crystals day 5 medium sized crystals day 6 larger now but still growing a bit day 7 crystals are really big day 8 it starts to slow down day 9 The sugar crystals look like it grew to the biggest it can day 10 The crystals stopped growing

When you put the maximum amount of a solute into a solution, the solution becomes supersaturated which is needed for the nucleation and the crystallization process. when the seed crystals were put in the water sugar solution, the sugar molecules in the water sugar solution begin to bump into each other and start to join each other forming an organised pattern. The process is called nucleation. After 2 days of nucleation, It switches to crystallization, where the crystals collect the molecules in the solution making them grow larger until it reaches its peak size.

The water sugar solution with more sugars made bigger crystals faster and made more big crystals at the bottom and the crust and the one with too little made no sugar crystals but still made a thin crust at the top.

The one with the 4:1 sugar to water ratio grew bigger and faster than the standard 3:1 ratio with a thicker crust on the top

Sweetener - It is a natural sweetener to food and beverages Culinary Decoration - It can be used to decorate food like cakes Medicine - Rock candy can be used to soothe coughs and sore throats

Cup too small Wrong amount of sugar added Solution cooled too fast Didn't let sugar on stick dry Solution was too hot for the sugar on the stick

Candy envy Science buddies The works of life Eupherbia Four Pounds Flour

Mrs Pepper - For Guiding us when we were stuck on certain parts and supporting us, as well as providing us with materials needed My dad - For supporting me throughout my research and giving us sugar needed Jakirah- For helping us refine our slides and give us additional information that we didn’t know where to find them Aool - For providing the science lab