So here is something that I created for a tree my brother and I decorated. The parents had some old outdoor lights just boxed up and the colors happened to match perfectly with our scheme.
This is a really simple project and looks even better on the tree. The only sad thing is that these lights don't light up but you could always just bunch up already stringed lights and tie them together in the same fashion. Whatever you do, these old-fashioned outdoor bulbs will make your tree look very festive!
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.
So here is something that I created for a tree my brother and I decorated. The parents had some old outdoor lights just boxed up and the colors happened to match perfectly with our scheme.
