Have you ever heard of a gooey substance made of cornstarch? It’s a fun and messy science experiment that you can do at home with just a few simple ingredients. This gooey substance is also known as oobleck, and it’s a non-Newtonian fluid that behaves differently than most liquids. In this article, we’ll explore what oobleck is, how to make it, and some fun experiments you can do with it.
What is Oobleck?
Oobleck is a substance made of two simple ingredients – cornstarch and water. When mixed together, they create a unique substance that’s neither a liquid nor a solid. It’s a non-Newtonian fluid, which means it doesn’t follow the usual rules of viscosity and flow that we associate with liquids. Oobleck is named after a gooey substance in Dr. Seuss’s book “Bartholomew and the Oobleck.”
How to Make Oobleck?
To make oobleck, you’ll need:
- 1 cup of cornstarch
- 1/2 cup of water
- Food coloring (optional)
Here are the steps to make oobleck:
- Put the cornstarch in a bowl.
- Add the water and stir until it’s well combined.
- If you want to add color to your oobleck, add a few drops of food coloring and stir.
- You’re done! Your oobleck is ready to play with.
Experiments You Can Do with Oobleck
Oobleck is a fun substance to play with, and there are many experiments you can do with it. Here are a few ideas:
1. Oobleck in a Bag
Fill a ziplock bag with oobleck and seal it tightly. Then, poke the bag with a pencil or your finger. What happens? The oobleck will behave like a solid when you touch it, but it will flow like a liquid when you stop touching it. This experiment demonstrates the non-Newtonian properties of oobleck.
2. Oobleck Dance Party
If you play music with a strong bass beat next to a bowl of oobleck, you’ll see the oobleck dance to the beat. This happens because the sound waves cause the oobleck to vibrate.
3. Oobleck Obstacle Course
You can create an obstacle course for your oobleck by placing different objects in its path. For example, you can put a funnel or a slanted surface in front of your oobleck and see how it behaves. This experiment allows you to observe the unique properties of oobleck and how it reacts to different objects.
Conclusion
Oobleck is a fun and messy science experiment that’s easy to make at home. With just cornstarch and water, you can create a unique substance that behaves like neither a liquid nor a solid. It’s a non-Newtonian fluid that has many interesting properties that you can explore through various experiments. So, next time you’re looking for a fun science experiment to do with your kids, try making oobleck!