Hey there! Have you ever had a delicious dinner and then craved something sweet? That’s exactly what happened to me and my friend Squeaks. We decided to have some gelatin snacks for dessert. Gelatin is one of our favorite treats because it’s so wobbly and squishy!
Squeaks and I were curious about whether gelatin is a solid or a liquid. It slices like a solid, but when you squish it, it bounces back. We decided to do a fun experiment to find out more. We tried pushing gelatin through a colander, which is a kitchen tool with holes used to drain water from pasta. Surprisingly, the gelatin went through the holes, acting a bit like a liquid!
To understand gelatin better, we decided to make some ourselves. We started with gelatin powder, which is made of tiny solid grains. We mixed the powder with boiling water and stirred it until it dissolved. The hot water helped the powder break apart and mix with the water, turning it into a new mixture. The water even changed color!
After mixing, we poured the liquid into a pan and let it cool in the fridge for about four hours. When we checked it later, it had turned into wiggly, squishy gelatin, just like the dessert we love!
So, is gelatin a solid or a liquid? It turns out, it’s a bit of both! Gelatin is a type of mixture called a colloid. If you looked closely at the gelatin powder, you’d see it looks like a tiny spider web. This web traps little pieces of water, making gelatin bouncy like a solid but also wet and squishy like a liquid.
Once the gelatin powder and water mix, they can’t be separated again. They’ve combined to create something new—gelatin!
Can you think of anything else that’s like both a solid and a liquid? Have you ever played with oobleck or slime? They’re similar to gelatin in how they behave!
I hope you enjoyed learning about gelatin with us today. If you want to join me, Squeaks, and our friends for more fun adventures, be sure to subscribe to our channel. See you next time!
Gelatin Observation Journal: Create a simple observation journal to explore the properties of gelatin. With the help of an adult, make a small batch of gelatin. Once it’s set, use your senses to observe it. Write down or draw what you see, feel, and smell. Is it more like a solid or a liquid? Try poking it gently with a spoon or your finger. Does it bounce back? Discuss your findings with a friend or family member.
Colander Experiment: Try the colander experiment at home! With an adult’s help, push a small piece of gelatin through a colander. Watch how it behaves. Does it go through easily like a liquid, or does it stay together like a solid? Talk about what you see and how it compares to other things you know, like water or a rock.
Make Your Own Oobleck: Oobleck is another fun mixture that’s both a solid and a liquid. Mix 1 cup of cornstarch with 1/2 cup of water in a bowl. Stir until it feels like a thick liquid. Try poking it quickly with your finger and then slowly. What happens? How is it similar to or different from gelatin? Share your thoughts with someone and see if they agree!
