Science can be a little bit frightening at times. It can make your head spin and leave you wondering about the universe late at night, whether it is due to the newest discoveries in organic chemistry or quantum mechanics. To perform science, though, you don't need to spend 8 years in university or be employed in a laboratory. There are numerous experiments that you can conduct at home safely. You might already have some of the supplies sitting around your home. Let’s go through a few simple examples.
Colorful Layers in a Glass
In this experiment, density is used to make multi-colored layers in a container. When sugar is added to any liquid, the result is a denser solution. The density of the solution increases as you add more sugar. If you make four separate solutions of varying densities and add some coloring, the different colors are going to form a series of layers. The more sugary, denser solutions will settle on the base and the ones that the lighter ones will float to the top.
Slime
You can make your own gooey slime at home! Mix water, some regular glue, and a few drops of coloring additives. Finally, add a bit of borax, a common household product. The mix will result in goo, due to the polyvinyl acetate (a type of liquid polymer) present in the glue. The borax binds polyvinyl acetate particles together, forming a stretchier polymer or slime.
Tornado in a Bottle
In a bottle, you can recreate your own tornado. What you will be needing is two plastic soda bottles, a plastic tube to connect them, and some tap water. As you swivel the water in the top bottle, it’ll create a vortex-like effect as it drains into the bottom bottle. Because air must flow up as the water pours down, the tornado phenomenon happens. To make the tornado even cooler, add coloring, lamp oil or even glitter to the water.
Pasta rocket
To create a small hybrid rocket engine, all you will be needing is hydrogen peroxide, some yeast, a jar, a fire, and dry pasta. When hydrogen peroxide and yeast are combined, their reaction produces pure oxygen. Funnel the gas through the hollow of the pasta, and light it on fire. The combustion will release a lot of energy turning the pasta into a little rocket.
To create a small hybrid rocket engine, all you will be needing is hydrogen peroxide, some yeast, a jar, a fire, and dry pasta. When hydrogen peroxide and yeast are combined, their reaction produces pure oxygen. Funnel the gas through the hollow of the pasta, and light it on fire. The combustion will release a lot of energy turning the pasta into a little rocket.
Instant Ice
Water requires a nucleus to create solid crystals for it to turn into ice. Tap water is usually laden with particles, allowing ice to develop. Purified water, on the other hand, isn't and, therefore, it can reach even lower temperatures before solidifying. If you freeze purified water for a few hours, it will get colder than at which water starts to freeze. Pour this icy water onto regular ice and watch the water you are pouring immediately freeze.
DIY lava lamp
If you have stomach ache or heartburn, an alka-seltzer is a fantastic remedy. But, did you know that it is the key component of a lava lamp? When water and oil are mixed together, water goes directly to the bottom of the recipient due to their distinct polarity and densities. For more fun, put food coloring in the water, it won’t affect the results. Break or pulverize an alka-seltzer tab and put it in the water, as it reacts to it, it will make the colored water go to the top, pop the bubbles, release the contained air, and return to the container’s base. This produces a similar effect to that of a lava lamp.
If you have stomach ache or heartburn, an alka-seltzer is a fantastic remedy. But, did you know that it is the key component of a lava lamp? When water and oil are mixed together, water goes directly to the bottom of the recipient due to their distinct polarity and densities. For more fun, put food coloring in the water, it won’t affect the results. Break or pulverize an alka-seltzer tab and put it in the water, as it reacts to it, it will make the colored water go to the top, pop the bubbles, release the contained air, and return to the container’s base. This produces a similar effect to that of a lava lamp.