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Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
What is Crystallisation?
Crystallisation is a separation
technique that is used to separate
a solid
that has
dissolved in a
liquid
and made a solution.
The solution is warmed in
an open container,
allowing the solvent to evaporate, leaving a saturated solution.
A solution that has as much
solid dissolved in it
as it can possibly contain is called
a saturated
solution.
As the saturated solution is allowed to
cool,
the solid will come out of the solution and crystals
will start to grow.
The crystals can then be collected and allowed to dry.
A solid that does not
dissolve in
a liquid
can be separated by filtration.
The size of crystals
depends on the rate of cooling.
Fast cooling will result in a large number of
small crystals.
Slow cooling will result in a
smaller number of large crystals.
See for example basalt
and granite rock formations.
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