Difference between crystallization and vaporization?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the distinction between crystallization and vaporization, emphasizing that crystallization results in crystalline structures while vaporization leads to amorphous materials. To achieve high-quality crystals, one should boil the solution until clear and then allow it to cool, facilitating solid phase formation. The conversation also touches on opaque solutions, which are identified as suspensions that can become clear through sedimentation. Additionally, the definition of a salt is provided, describing it as a compound formed from an acid and a base.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of crystallization processes
  • Knowledge of solution chemistry
  • Familiarity with the concepts of density and solubility
  • Basic principles of ionic compounds and their properties
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the process of crystallization in detail, focusing on techniques for producing high-quality crystals.
  • Explore the Tyndall effect and its implications for understanding opaque solutions.
  • Study the principles of solution chemistry, particularly regarding solubility and precipitation.
  • Investigate the properties and classifications of salts, including their formation and characteristics.
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, laboratory technicians, and professionals involved in material science or chemical engineering will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in crystallization techniques and solution behavior.

lwymarie
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If a solution is heated to dryness, a powder will be left. But under evaporation, a crystal will form. So what's the difference between crystallization and vaporization? How is the process of crystallization?

Are all the opaque (or milky) solutions contain a precipitate? And why some liquids are obpaque while some are transparent?

Here is a beaker. Inside is some oil on top of water. If the water is heated, so it becomes less thick and thus less dense, will it has a density lower than oil and so flow on the oil?

What is the general definition of a 'salt'?

-thx-
 
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Hello

I will try to answer your questions briefly.

lwymarie said:
If a solution is heated to dryness, a powder will be left. But under evaporation, a crystal will form. So what's the difference between crystallization and vaporization? How is the process of crystallization?

Well, the difference is that the first will form amorphous materials, while the second one will be crystalline. In order to obtain good quality crystals, you should boil the solution until a clear solution is obtained, then let it cool unattended, in ambient temperature. Crystals will form, since you give enough time to allow solid phase formation. Amorphous materials occur instantly, they don't have much time to facilitate crystallization.

Are all the opaque (or milky) solutions contain a precipitate? And why some liquids are obpaque while some are transparent?

They are rather called suspensions, and if you allow some time, a process known as "sedimentation" will occur, that is, the upper liquid becomes clear, and the insoluble solid precipitates to the bottom of the flask. Opaque liquids have some insoluble material, so they are suspensions or emulsions, depending on the physical state of the insoluble material.

Here is a beaker. Inside is some oil on top of water. If the water is heated, so it becomes less thick and thus less dense, will it has a density lower than oil and so flow on the oil?

I think the solubility of oil increases with increasing temperature, so the layer becomes thinner. I don't think that densities would change greatly with a simple heating process.

What is the general definition of a 'salt'?
A salt is basically a compound, formed between a base and and acid. The anion of the salt comes from the acid, while the cation is from the base.
 
lwymarie said:
If a solution is heated to dryness, a powder will be left. But under evaporation, a crystal will form. So what's the difference between crystallization and vaporization? How is the process of crystallization?

IMHO the question is faulty - if you heat NaCl solution to dryness crystals will form. They will be smaller and not so nice, but they will form.

Are all the opaque (or milky) solutions contain a precipitate? And why some liquids are obpaque while some are transparent?

Look for so called Tyndall effect.

Here is a beaker. Inside is some oil on top of water. If the water is heated, so it becomes less thick and thus less dense, will it has a density lower than oil and so flow on the oil?

The simplest answer is oil is heated too so it becomes even less dense at the same time.

Besides, what is an 'oil'? It can be anything, from edible to car lubricant and I have no idea what range of densities is possible for substances that can be called 'oils'.
 
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lwymarie said:
If a solution is heated to dryness, a powder will be left. But under evaporation, a crystal will form. So what's the difference between crystallization and vaporization? How is the process of crystallization?
When a solution precipitates very rapidly, there is not enough time for molecules to find their place in the lattice. For a crystal to form there first needs to be a 'seed', whose formation is energetically unfavourable.
 
Monique said:
When a solution precipitates very rapidly, there is not enough time for molecules to find their place in the lattice. For a crystal to form there first needs to be a 'seed', whose formation is energetically unfavourable.

While this is generally true it is all a matter of kinetics - which process is faster. I have never heard about amorphous form of strongly ionic compounds, like - say - KCl. Then, there are many things I haven't heard of :wink:
 
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I came.across a headline and read some of the article, so I was curious. Scientists discover that gold is a 'reactive metal' by accidentally creating a new material in the lab https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-that-gold-is-reactive-metal-by-creating-gold-hydride-in-lab-experiment/ From SLAC - A SLAC team unexpectedly formed gold hydride in an experiment that could pave the way for studying materials under extreme conditions like those found inside certain planets and stars undergoing...

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