<-- Back to Demonstration Index

Supercooled Sodium Acetate Solution

Procedure

1. In a 1 liter beaker, with heat, dissolve 500gm NaOOCCH₃ * 3 H₂O in 150ml water. Cover beaker with large watchglass and cool overnight.

2. The hot solution can be quick cooled in an ice bath if one is in a hurry. The liquid level should be just over 550ml for a saturated solution.

3. Move solutions with caution. A slight bump can cause crystallization of the solution.

4. Add a teeny weeny bit on the tip of a spatula of sodium acetate to the supercooled solution. Entire solution crystallizes