Lava Lamp Simple (Teresa Glass)

Author

Teresa Glass

Principle(s) Illustrated

Convection Currents
Mixtures
Immisicibility
Density
Molecules

Standards

MS-PS1-1.

MS-PS1-3.

MS-PS1-2.

Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on developing models of molecules that vary in complexity. Examples of simple molecules could include ammonia and methanol. Examples of extended structures could include sodium chloride or diamonds. Examples of molecular-level models could include drawings, 3D ball and stick structures, or computer representations showing different molecules with different types of atoms.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include valence electrons and bonding energy, discussing the ionic nature of subunits of complex structures, or a complete description of all individual atoms in a complex molecule or extended structure is not required.]

Gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on natural resources that undergo a chemical process to form the synthetic material. Examples of new materials could include new medicine, foods, and alternative fuels.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to qualitative information.]

Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred. [Clarification Statement: Examples of reactions could include burning sugar or steel wool, fat reacting with sodium hydroxide, and mixing zinc with hydrogen chloride.] [Assessment boundary: Assessment is limited to analysis of the following properties: density, melting point, boiling point, solubility, flammability, and odor.]

Questioning Script

Prior knowledge & experience:

Oil and water do not mix..

Root question:

Will the oil and water mix in the lava lamp? What will happen when the Alka Selzer is added?

Target response:

The oil and water will not mix. The carbon dioxide gas added by the Alka Seltzer tablets will make the mixture bubble.

Common Misconceptions:

The oil is more dense than the water. The oil floats because it is made of fat. Heat makes the bubbles move.

Photographs and Movies

Illustration of Lava Lamp Experiment and Ingredients

Procedure

You will need

An empty plastic soda bottle (with cap)
Vegetable or mineral oil
Food coloring
Effervescent tablet (like Alka-Seltzer)
Sequins and glitter
Salt
A flashlight

Step 1 Rinse soda bottle Empty and thoroughly rinse a large plastic soda bottle.

Step 2 Add oil Pour vegetable or mineral oil into the bottle until it is three-quarters full.

Step 3 Fill with water Fill the rest of the bottle with water.

Step 4 Add food coloring Add several drops of the food color of your choice.

To make things more interesting, add sequins or glitter to the mixture.

Step 5 Break a tablet Break an effervescent tablet (like Alka-Seltzer) into several small pieces.

Step 6 Drop one piece Drop a piece into the bottle. Watch the oil begin to fall to the bottom and then rise in small droplets.

Step 7 Add the rest of the pieces Continue adding the tablet pieces until they have all dissolved.

Don’t have an effervescent tablet? Slowly pour table salt into the mixture to create the same effect.

Step 8 Move the bottle back and forth Put the cap back on the bottle. Begin slowly moving the bottle back and forth in your hands until the oil droplets begin to form one big glob.

Step 9 Enjoy the show Enjoy the show! To really bring out the colors of the blob, illuminate the bottle with a flashlight.

Explanation: the oil is less dense than the water and the food coloring is less dense than the oil. Carbon dioxide gas from the Alka Seltzer creates a convection current that makes the droplets of oil and food coloring move.

References

Sharably DIY 13 Amazing Science Experiments with Kids http://shareably.net/diy-amazing-science-experiments-with-kids/?utm_source=page_fb_share&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=homehttp://shareably.net/diy-amazing-science-experiments-with-kids/?utm_source=page_fb_share&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=home

How to make a simple lava lamp. http://www.howcast.com/videos/113668-How-To-Make-a-Simple-Lava-Lamp-At-Home/

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