Table of Contents
How is a rock similar to a mineral?
A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic element or compound having an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties. A rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals, or a body of undifferentiated mineral matter.
What is the science behind Rock Candy?
A supersaturated solution is unstable—it contains more solute (in this case, sugar) than can stay in solution—so as the temperature decreases, the sugar comes out of the solution, forming crystals. The lower the temperature, the more molecules join the sugar crystals, and that is how rock candy is created.
What elements are in Rock Candy?
Rock candy
| Colored and flavored rock candy commonly sold in the United States | |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Rock sugar |
| Type | Confectionery |
| Main ingredients | Sugar, water |
| Variations | About 10 |
Is sugar a mineral or a rock?
Sugar is a crystalline solid but comes from plants, sugar cane or sugar beets. This classifies it as an organic compound and so is not a mineral.
What do you need to know about making Rock Candy?
For instance, if you want to make rock candy, you need to let the syrup slowly cool down over many days until big sugar crystals form. But if you want to produce fudge, you need to continuously stir the syrup after an initial cooling period, so when the sugar crystals form, they stay small and do not grow too much.
How are candy bars like rocks and soil?
Like rocks and soil, candy bars have features that offer clues about what they’re made of and how they formed. Unlike with rocks, we can easily see inside candy bars by cutting them in half, creating what’s called a cross section.
Why does rock candy form in a supersaturated solution?
A supersaturated solution is unstable—it contains more solute (in this case, sugar) than can stay in solution—so as the temperature decreases, the sugar comes out of the solution, forming crystals. The lower the temperature, the more molecules join the sugar crystals, and that is how rock candy is created.
What are the different textures of different candies?
Other candies come in a variety of textures: chewy (fudge), gritty (cotton candy), or hard (glass candy). Given that candies are all made with sugar, what causes their textures to be so different?