What is the final step in the process of making salt crystals?

The final step in the process of making salt crystals involves pouring the solution into a petri dish and allowing it to sit undisturbed overnight. This process is crucial as it allows the water in the solution to evaporate gradually, leading to the formation of salt crystals as the solute becomes more concentrated.

During evaporation, as the water vaporizes, the remaining solute reaches a point of supersaturation, causing it to crystallize. Leaving the solution undisturbed helps ensure that the crystals form uniformly and prevents any disturbances that could disrupt the crystallization process. This step is essential for achieving well-formed, consistent salt crystals that can then be harvested.

Other methods, such as filtering or cooling the solution, are important in the overall procedure but do not directly contribute to the final crystallization step as effectively as allowing the solution to sit undisturbed in a petri dish. Storing the solution in a refrigerator is unnecessary and could actually hinder the process since crystallization typically occurs at room temperature.