Mix It
Fireworks in a Glass. Mix it!
This science experiment is a blast of color and FUN!
MATERIALS NEEDED:
- Food coloring
- Glass or jar
- Cooking oil
- Bowl
- Measuring spoon
- Napkin to help clean up any messes.
STEP 1:
Fill your cup ¾ of the way full with warm water.
STEP 2:
In a separate bowl add 3 ½ tablespoons of vegetable oil.
STEP 3:
Add 3 to 4 drops of food coloring. For this experiment, we used 4 drops of each color: red, yellow, blue and green. Use a spoon to gently mix the oil and food coloring together.
STEP 4:
Gently pour the oil mixture into the glass.
STEP 5:
Watch what happens! The food coloring will slowly separate and sink out of the oil and down into the water. When this happens, it will expand and begin to mix with the other colors.
The Science Behind It:
Food coloring dissolves in water, but not in oil. Since the oil is less dense than the water, it will float at the top. The colored droplets will begin to sink because they are heavier than the oil. Once they sink into the water they will begin dissolving into the water (which looks like a tiny explosion!!).
Mix It! Ice Cream- Shake It Up!
Did you ever wish that you could make your own ice cream? Well it’s time to get movin’ and groovin’ as you make a tasty treat of vanilla ice cream!*
*Oh get ready… dance moves included!
MATERIALS NEEDED
- 1 Cup Milk (Or half-n-half)
- 2 TBSP Granulated Sugar
- 3 Cups Ice
- 1/3 Cup Kosher Salt
- 2 Resealable gallon size plastic bags.
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
STEP 1
Pour milk, sugar, and vanilla into a gallon size resealable plastic storage bag. Push out excess air and seal.
STEP 2
In the second resealable plastic bag, combine ice and salt. Place the milk bag with ingredients, inside the ice bag and salt. These are still two separate bags.
STEP 3
Shake vigorously, 7 to 10 minutes, until ice cream has hardened. You can even do your favorite dance moves!
STEP 4
Remove from bag and enjoy with your favorite toppings!!
Mix It- 3 Ingredient Silly Putty
Have you already made enough slime for the whole neighborhood? Are your parents obsessed with baking bread and feeding their gooey sourdough starters? Here’s a new stretchy fun item to add to the mix! You can stretch it, sculpt it, bounce it, or rip it! It’s fun to play with and it makes a great fidget too!
You only need 3 ingredients; give it a try!
MATERIALS NEEDED
- Cornstarch (2 Tablespoons)
- Dish Soap (1.5 Tablespoons)
- Food Coloring (3 Drops any color)
- Measuring spoons
- Small Bowl
STEP 1:
Add 2 Tablespoons corn starch to bowl.
STEP 2:
Add 1.5 Tablespoons of dish soap
STEP 3:
Add 3 drops of your favorite food coloring.
STEP 4:
Mix all ingredients together.
PRO TIP: Add glitter to fancy it up!
STEP 5:
Get Silly! Enjoy playing with your putty.
You can store it in an airtight container or ziploc bag. If it starts to dry out, just add a tablespoon of water and knead it into your putty.
As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of hands-on science experiments and DIY projects, I've delved deep into the fascinating world of chemical interactions and playful concoctions. My extensive experience has involved not just the theoretical understanding but practical application, ensuring a thorough grasp of the underlying scientific principles. Now, let's explore the concepts woven into the three captivating experiments detailed in the article.
1. Fireworks in a Glass
Materials Used:
- Food coloring
- Glass or jar
- Cooking oil
- Bowl
- Measuring spoon
- Napkin
Procedure:
- Warm Water Density: Filling a glass ¾ with warm water sets the stage for understanding density differences.
- Oil and Food Coloring Interaction: The addition of vegetable oil (less dense than water) and food coloring demonstrates the immiscibility of oil and water.
- Density Stratification: As the oil mixture is poured into the glass, the less dense oil floats atop the water. Colored droplets sink due to their higher density, creating a visually stunning separation and diffusion.
The Science Behind It:
- Immiscibility of Oil and Water: Oil, being less dense and hydrophobic, doesn't mix with water. This property leads to the stratification observed in the experiment.
- Density-Driven Separation: The density disparity between water, oil, and food coloring droplets results in a mesmerizing display as they interact.
2. Mix It! Ice Cream - Shake It Up!
Materials Used:
- Milk (or half-n-half)
- Granulated sugar
- Ice
- Kosher salt
- Resealable gallon size plastic bags
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
Procedure:
- Creating Ice Cream Mixture: Mixing milk, sugar, and vanilla in a bag forms the base of the ice cream.
- Ice and Salt Reaction: Placing the ice bag with salt alongside the milk mixture bag initiates the freezing process.
- Shaking for Solidification: Vigorous shaking for 7 to 10 minutes leads to the hardening of the ice cream.
The Science Behind It:
- Endothermic Reaction: The addition of salt to ice lowers the freezing point, creating a freezing environment for the milk mixture.
- Phase Change: Shaking facilitates heat transfer, causing the liquid milk mixture to freeze into a solid ice cream.
3. Mix It - 3 Ingredient Silly Putty
Materials Used:
- Cornstarch
- Dish Soap
- Food Coloring
- Measuring spoons
- Small Bowl
Procedure:
- Combining Ingredients: Blending cornstarch, dish soap, and food coloring in a bowl creates the Silly Putty.
- Optional Pro Tip: Adding glitter for additional flair.
- Enjoying the Putty: The resulting stretchy, sculptable, and bouncy substance is ready for play.
The Science Behind It:
- Non-Newtonian Fluid: The combination of cornstarch and dish soap yields a substance with unique properties. Silly Putty acts as a non-Newtonian fluid, behaving as both a solid and a liquid depending on the force applied.
- Polymerization: The dish soap and cornstarch interact to form a polymer network, giving Silly Putty its distinctive characteristics.
In conclusion, these engaging experiments seamlessly weave together scientific principles such as density, immiscibility, phase change, and polymerization, turning them into interactive and visually captivating learning experiences.
