Have you ever mixed things together just to see what happens? It’s like making magic potions! But guess what? It’s not magic—it’s science! Let’s explore some fun mixtures and learn about them together.
For our first experiment, you’ll need a clear container, a spoon, some water, and play sand. Fill the container with water and add a big spoonful of sand. Stir it around really fast. You’ll see the sand spread out in the water. But when you stop stirring, the sand settles at the bottom. This is called a suspension. In a suspension, the ingredients can be separated after mixing. If you pour the mixture through a filter, like a paper towel, the sand stays on the filter, and the water goes through.
Now, let’s try something different. Use water again, but this time add a few spoonfuls of sugar. Stir it like you did with the sand. At first, it might look like a suspension, but keep stirring. The sugar seems to disappear! But it hasn’t. If you taste the water, it’s sweet. The sugar has dissolved, breaking down into tiny pieces that mix evenly with the water. This is called a solution. In a solution, the ingredients mix so well that they can’t be separated, even if you let it sit for a long time.
Let’s make more potions! Pour water into a jar until it’s halfway full. Add a few drops of food coloring, put the lid on, and shake it up. The coloring mixes evenly and doesn’t settle at the bottom. This is a solution.
Now, add some oil to the jar and shake it again. What happens? The oil forms big blobs and separates from the water. This is another suspension.
Now you know about two kinds of mixtures: suspensions, where ingredients can separate, and solutions, where one ingredient dissolves into the other and can’t be separated. Keep experimenting and see what cool potions you can make!
Thanks for joining us today! If you have any experiments to share or questions, grab a grown-up and leave a comment or send us an email. See you next time!
Experiment with Kitchen Ingredients: Gather some common kitchen ingredients like salt, flour, sugar, and rice. With the help of an adult, mix each ingredient with water in separate clear cups. Observe what happens to each mixture. Ask yourself: Which ones form a suspension and which ones form a solution? Try to explain why you think that happens.
Nature Walk Observation: Go on a nature walk with an adult and collect small samples of natural materials like soil, leaves, or small pebbles. When you return home, mix each sample with water in a clear container. Watch what happens and discuss: Do any of these mixtures form suspensions or solutions? Why do you think that is?
Create Your Own Potion: Use safe household items like vinegar, baking soda, or dish soap to create your own potion. Mix different combinations and observe the results. Think about these questions: Do your mixtures behave like suspensions or solutions? Can you create a mixture that changes from a suspension to a solution or vice versa? Share your findings with a friend or family member!
