Occurrence and Growth of Secondary Nuclei

Abstract

Secondary nuclei were generated by a parent crystal suspended in an agitated solution of CuSO₄5H₂O and KAl (SO₄) ₂12H₂O, and the changes of population density and number frequency distribution with elapsed time were observed by Coulter Counter. The following results were obtained.
1) In a supersaturated solution, a decrease of population density of generated nuclei was observed at the beginning of elapsed time. The decreasing rate of particles was recognized to depend on the relative supersaturation.
2) Shape of the cumulative curve for both systems changed with elapsed time. The change for CuSO₄5H₂O depends on the presence of particles which have a lower growth rate than average. By contrast, the change for KAl (SO₄) ₂12H₂O depends on the presence of particles which have a faster growth rate.
3) Minimum particle size for the birth of secondary nuclei was confirmed