Shimmering crystals
Physically Natural Sciences

Shimmering crystals

How can crystals that shimmer in bright colors be created from a silvery-white, brittle metal? We show it...
Start 17:00 o'clock
End 00:00 o'clock

At a glance

Max-Planck-Institut für Chemische Physik fester Stoffe (MPI-CPfS)
MPI-CPfS
Seminarräume
Nöthnitzer Straße 40
01187 Dresden (Dresdner Süden)
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description

In this demonstration experiment, we show how we can make a beautiful single crystal of bismuth. To do this, we use a special metal rod and immerse it in a molten bismuth bath at about 280°C. When the bath cools, the liquid bismuth solidifies in the colder areas, but also on the metal rod, which is colder due to heat conduction. The trick now is to wait for the right moment to pull out as large a crystal as possible from the liquid melt. At the end of the demonstration experiment, you will learn which crystal production methods we use and why these methods are important for us.

Information on the event format

Experiment Presentation Suitable for children

Venue information

English speaking / suitable for international guests Food and drinks available Suitable for children

stations

Nöthnitzer Str.

  • N6 (bus)
  • 85 (bus)
  • N8 (tram)
  • 3 (tram)

Regensburger Straße

  • 85 (bus)