Chemical Gardens, Pt. I

This is why it has taken me so long to post much photography!
None of this could have been possible without the infinite support of John, Anna, Shelly, Liz, and Jim.

Everyone: this is a chemical garden. They are very, very, very beautiful in nature.

In a solution of 50/50 sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and distilled water, added clumps of metal salts (IE: copper (II) sulfate, cobalt (II) chloride, nickel (II) sulfate, etc) will begin to "grow" in the same nature as plants or stalagmites.  

Essentially, the metal salt, once added to solution, will start to dissolve in water. It will then form an insoluble metal silicate, which acts as a semipermeable membrane. Now, because the metal solution inside the membrane has a greater ionic strength than that of the sodium silicate solution, osmotic effects will cause pressure to build in the membrane, eventually forming a tear. The metal cations, then, will begin to interact with the silicate anions in a manner identical to the original, insoluble-metal-silicate-forming process (forming more solid structures!). During this particular event, typically, the pressure at the bottom of the container is greater than the pressure at the top, thus enticing the plant-like structures to go grow upward. 

Of course, one may theoretically exploit the characteristics of chemical gardens! For example, the density of the "fluid" contained in the membrane dictates the direction of growth for these delicate structures. The concentration, moreover, of the sodium silicate in the solution overall is responsible for the rate of growth, as well. 

There are various applications for these chemical oddities, anywhere from the examination of hydrothermal vents (the chemistry between both concepts are very closely related), to the origins of life on earth. If you aspiring scientists have any free time, I highly suggest researching these topics. They are very, very interesting reads.

Science is beautifully awesome.

I really do plan on doing more with this in the future. Chemical gardens are captivating oddities in the world of science and art... and I really want to give them the attention they deserve. 

Tumblr Hi-Res Link!

That's it for today, guys. The blog should be fully functional by tomorrow, just like last summer. I hope you enjoy what I have in store for you all. (:

Until next time,

- Christian

Tags: Science, Chemistry, Abstract Photography, chemical, silica, crystal, garden, metal, salt, sodium, silicate, beautiful