{"id":60462,"date":"2026-02-12T04:47:20","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phys-edu.net\/wp\/?p=60462"},"modified":"2026-02-12T04:47:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:47:20","slug":"make-it-snow-in-a-test-tube-sparkling-crystal-christmas-at-home-ammonium-chloride-recrystallization-experiment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phys-edu.net\/wp\/?p=60462&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Make It Snow in a Test Tube! Sparkling Crystal Christmas at Home (Ammonium Chloride Recrystallization Experiment)"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’m Ken Kuwako, your science trainer. Every day is an experiment!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The holiday season is finally here! The streets are glowing with beautiful illuminations, and there’s a certain magic in the air. We\u2019ve all paused at least once to admire the intricate frost patterns on a windowpane or the delicate snowflakes dancing down from the sky, thinking, “Wow, that’s beautiful.”<\/p>\n

But what if you could recreate that winter magic right on your own desk, inside a tiny test tube? Doesn’t that sound exciting? Today, I\u2019m sharing a stunningly intellectual science experiment that\u2019s perfect for a cozy winter evening. Our star performer is ammonium chloride\u2014a mysterious white powder that creates crystals as delicate as winter fairies.<\/p>\n

Grow Your Own Snowflakes: A Festive Christmas Experiment!<\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s start building your very own “science snow globe!” The preparation is surprisingly simple.<\/p>\n

Think of it like brewing a magical potion. Gently add 20g of ammonium chloride to 40mL of water heated to about 70\u00b0C. The secret is to stir carefully until everything dissolves and the liquid becomes crystal clear. Pour this “magic water” into a glass container, like a test tube, and then simply wait for it to cool down quietly. Before long, a beautiful winter landscape will begin to unfold inside the glass.<\/p>\n

When doing experiments at home, the biggest hurdle is often “dealing with fire.” That\u2019s where a brilliant tip from science education specialist Mr. Eiji Komori comes in: repurpose an old rice cooker! By setting it to “Keep Warm” mode and filling it with water, you transform it into a safe, ideal water bath. This is the electric pot I personally use:<\/p>\n

I keep my ammonium chloride pre-measured in test tubes so I can reuse them every year. It\u2019s incredibly convenient.<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot<\/p>\n

Zojirushi Electric Griddle Pan<\/a><\/p>\n

By placing the test tubes inside a beaker in the warm water of the electric pot, you get perfect temperature control. Heating over a direct flame carries risks like “bumping” (sudden boiling) or breaking the glass, but this water bath method warms everything gently, making it safe and easy to observe.<\/p>\n

So, what kind of scenery awaits? Take a look at this dreamlike moment in the videos below. Watching the crystals grow in the quiet test tube, almost as if they have a will of their own, is so mesmerizing you\u2019ll lose track of time.<\/p>\n