Today, we’re going to have some fun with science by making something called Oobleck. It’s a special kind of goo that acts like both a liquid and a solid! But before we start, make sure you have an adult to help you. Every great scientist needs a good helper, and it’s important to have an adult’s permission.
First, measure out one cup of water and pour it into a bowl. If you want your Oobleck to be colorful, add a few drops of food coloring to the water. You might want to wear gloves to keep your hands clean.
Next, add one to two cups of cornstarch to the water. Start with one cup and mix it well. You might find that mixing it is a bit tricky, and that’s because Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid. This means it doesn’t behave like regular liquids!
Try passing the Oobleck back and forth between your hands like a ball. You’ll notice that when you squeeze it or apply pressure, it feels solid. But when you let it rest, it flows like a liquid. Isn’t that amazing?
When you’re finished playing with your Oobleck, remember not to pour it down the sink. It can clog the pipes! Instead, put it in a plastic bag, tie it up, and throw it in the trash.
Now you know how to make Oobleck! It’s a fun way to learn about science and explore how different materials can change their properties. Enjoy your experiment!
Oobleck Dance Party: Create a small dance floor for your Oobleck! Place a thin layer of Oobleck on a tray or shallow dish. Play some music and watch how the Oobleck reacts to the vibrations. Does it move differently with different types of music or beats? Try tapping the tray gently and then harder to see how the Oobleck changes. Discuss with a friend or family member why you think the Oobleck behaves this way.
Oobleck Art: Use your Oobleck to create art! Pour some Oobleck onto a piece of thick paper or cardboard. Use your fingers or a spoon to spread it around and make patterns. Try lifting the paper to see how the Oobleck flows and changes shape. Once you’re done, let it dry and see what kind of texture it leaves behind. What do you notice about the patterns and the way the Oobleck dries?
Question Time: Think about other things in your life that might be like Oobleck, acting like both a solid and a liquid. Can you find any examples in your kitchen or outside? Discuss with a friend or family member why you think these things behave like Oobleck. How do they compare to the Oobleck you made?
For today’s at-home experiment, we are going to learn about the science of non-Newtonian fluids by making Oobleck. Remember, if you’re doing this at home, make sure to have an adult help you, because all good scientists need good lab assistants, and it’s important to have an adult’s approval.
To make Oobleck, you need a few basic ingredients: water, food coloring (if you want to make it colorful), and cornstarch. To start, measure out one cup of water and mix it in a bowl. If you’re using food coloring, add it to the water. It’s a good idea to wear gloves to keep your hands clean.
Next, you’ll want to add one to two cups of cornstarch. Start with one cup and mix it well. You might notice that mixing it can be a bit challenging, which is a characteristic of non-Newtonian fluids. There’s no perfect recipe for this, but you can experiment with it using your hands.
When you pass the mixture back and forth like a ball, you’ll see that it behaves like a solid under pressure.
It’s very important to remember, when you’re done making your Oobleck, do not pour it down the drain, as it can clog your plumbing. Instead, place it in a plastic bag, tie it off, and dispose of it in the trash.
And that’s how you make Oobleck! How cool is that?
