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Dancing Crystals: A Dramatic Illustration of Intermolecular Forces

Donald W. Mundell

Department of Chemistry, Owensboro Community and Technical College, Owensboro, KY 42303

James H. Maynard

Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706

J. Chem. Educ., 2007, 84 (11), p 1773

DOI: 10.1021/ed084p1773

Publication Date (Web): November 1, 2007

Abstract

Crystals of naphthalene form on the surface of an acetone solution and dance about in an animated fashion illustrating surface tension, crystallization, and intermolecular forces. Additional experiments reveal the properties of the solution. Flows within the solutions can be visualized by various means. Previous demonstrations of surface motion are explored and compared with the dancing crystals. London, dipole–induced dipole, and dipole–dipole forces are discussed. This demonstration can be used for discussion of intermolecular forces, properties of liquids, surface tension, Marangoni effects, crystallization, solubility, and heat of solution. Video presentations are also available for this article.

Keywords:

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords:

Demonstrations

Keywords:

JCE DigiDemos: Tested Demonstrations

Keywords:

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords:

Aromatic Compounds

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

Marangoni Flowers and the Evil Eye: Overhead Presentations of Marangoni Flow
Donald W. Mundell
Journal of Chemical Education2009 86 (7), 833
- Marangoni Flowers and the Evil Eye: Overhead Presentations of Marangoni Flow
  Donald W. Mundell
  Journal of Chemical Education2009 86 (7), 833
  Intermolecular forces and surface tension gradients in solutions lead to remarkable flows, known as Marangoni flows, where liquid flows from a region of low surface tension towards higher surface tension. Details of these flows, not visible to the naked ...
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