Using the erlenmeyer flask and its contents from part a, continue with these steps:

heat the flask on a hot plate or in a microwave oven. gently swirl the flask at regular intervals until the crystals of sodium acetate dissolve completely.
make sure that all the sodium acetate is dissolved and no crystals remain inside the flask. once all the crystals are dissolved, remove the flask from the heat. to avoid burns, be careful when working with the hot plate and while handling the hot flask.
allow the flask to cool for at least 30 minutes on a heat-resistant surface without disturbing it. the flask should now be at or near room temperature.
before it was heated, the flask and its contents were at room temperature. with regard to appearance, how are the contents of the flask different from before they were heated and cooled?