So today's science experiment is one that I found online but wanted to try myself. When I was younger, I had a lava lamp that used to illuminate my bedside. I know what you are thinking..."How old are you again?" Trust me, I am young but old enough to know and experience the captivating movements of the lamp of lava.
Okay, back to the experiment. Here is how you can make your own lava lamp and get tons of fun out of watching it bubble.
Supplies:
1 bottle (any size works)
water (enough to fill 1/4 of the bottle)
oil (enough to fill the bottle)
food coloring (whatever color lava you want)
Alka-seltzer (or any effervescing product)
check out the video below to watch how to put it all together:
We are back again, making cool science experiments, or in this case, some kitchen science experiments!! Today we are making fake snot, which is pretty much amazing.
Myself playing with some homemade snot/slime
Now I know you are thinking "what is in this", "what do I have to do", "Is this stuff made with borax"
My answers are "it's fake snot" "I will tell you" and "no not at all".
So while searching the webs, I wanted to find an easy slime recipe when I stumbled upon this very confusing snot recipe. I tried making it as written and found that the ingredient lists were totally off. So after a bit of work (research on the internet) I gathered some correct ingredient amounts and made my own snot/slime recipe.
You can even EAT this science!! Although it tastes really rank. :P
Here is what you will need.
1/2 cup boiling water (put it in the microwave, when it boils take it out)
3 packets of Gelatin (I use Knox unflavored gelatin)
1/2 cup of Corn Syrup (if you use any, light corn syrup is best)
Food coloring (green makes it look like snot/slime)
a mixing bowl
a fork
for instructions on how to put it all together, watch the video below.
So this experiment can either be a lot of fun or a really big mess so strap in and hold on.
So, you want to make Elephant toothpaste. Well, it is your lucky day because I have what you need right here.
For starters, Elephant toothpaste is not toothpaste at all and has nothing to do with elephants except the size of the reaction. So without boring you anymore, here is what you will need.
Hydrogen Peroxide (3% works fine, 8% is much better)--found at hair supply stores
Dry Active yeast (this is the catalyst for the reaction)
Dish Soap (use one without antibacterial ingredients)--degreaser only
warm water
A small bowl (for the yeast)
Food coloring (if desired)
A sheet pan to catch the mess.
It is a very long list but trust me, you need everything here. Once it comes together, it is amazingly fun, and a joy to watch!
First thing you need to do is activate the yeast with some warm water. This is just like when you make bread. I used about 3TBSP of warm water to an entire packet of yeast. Let that go for 5 min.
Next, meausre out 4 ounces of hydrogen peroxide. Whether you use 3% or 8%, it doesn't matter. You just need to make sure that if you want a stronger reaction, you get the 8% (stores sell it as 20 vol). There are recipes for this experiment that call for over 30%. Those are the explosive ones you see all over the web. Those mixes do not include yeast and should be handled with caution.
Add in 2 ounces of dish soap to the hydrogen peroxide and then (if you want) swirl in some color. Pour that mixture carefully into your bottle and set it in you sheet pan.Now you are ready to go.
Take your activated yeast and pour it into the bottle and watch for the reaction.
So What is Happening?
The yeast acts as the catalyst for the reaction between the hydrogen peroxide. It speeds up the release of oxygen and that forms the bubbles from the soap. With peroxide at higher concentrations, this reaction happens almost all at once causing violent bursts of bubbles and steam. In the end, the catalyst should be the only thing left in the bottle.
Overall it is a really cool reaction.
Here is mine that I did with only 3% hydrogen peroxide. It was easy and very safe.
So today's science experiment is something so easy, that a cow could have made it itself if it wanted to. We are making plastic from milk.
Now for me, this was a really weird experiment. I thought "there is no way that is possible". Well, it sort of is to an extent. So here is the rundown:
You will need:
1 cup of milk
4 teaspoons of white vinegar (distilled is fine)
a pot for heating the milk (or heat it in the microwave: about 1:30 sec)
a mixing bowl
a strainer
food coloring (if you want some colors)
So first start out heating the milk. You don't want it to boil, just enough to get it hot to the touch. From my research, it seems that doing this helps to start breaking down the whey in the milk before adding the vinegar. The heat also gives the casein protein a chance to form into a solid structure once the vinegar is added.
After heating place the milk into a bowl and add any food coloring you wish. I used red in mine. Put in more than you think, It will take about 6 drops. (liquid color works best)
Mix that together and then add your 4 teaspoons of vinegar. Stir constantly for 1 minute.
The whey and casein will separate and then you are ready to strain.
Put the mixture through a strainer and run some water over the casein protein mixture.
You are now ready to mold it any way you want. Once you have your desired shape. Let it sit for at least 6 hours or more (overnight is better) until it has hardened into a plastic or rock like substance.
And there you go. Milk has now been turned into plastic.
As usual I am always going to find something fun to do. Of course that something would have to including lighting an object on fire. Don't worry, though, this is all in good scientific fun, and let's be honest, you are not a scientist unless you set something on fire!!!!
This btw is very kid friendly so don't shy away just because of the fire
SO this experiment is making little ghost rockets in honor of the season of Halloween that is quickly approaching. If it looks fun to you, then I have great news. It's a blast. I have never had more fun sending pieces of ash up into the air than I have doing this experiment. So here is everything you need.
Teabags (the thicker the bag the better it will work)
Sharpie or marks a lot
Scissors
matches or lighter
a plate (or solid non-flammable surface)
start by cutting open your tea bags where the fold meet at the top. Once cut, empty the package of all tea leaf material. (You dont want that stuff burning!!)
Time to draw on the faces, Use you sharpie to create whatever you like, spooky face or not.
Once that is done place it on the plate or non-flammable surface and light it up.
Your Ghost should take off into the air and extinguish itself right before your eyes!!!
It is something to see to believe and it is so fun you will want to do it again and again. Trust me I know I am an adult man and I could not get enough of this!! Who needs tea anyway (unless you are a Brit)
To be fair, I did use my least favorite tea packages. Check out the video below for my instructions and a demonstration.
