DIY Lava Lamps

This PowerPoint is part of the Science Projects Series

Density of Oil & Water

• Oil stays above the water because the oil is lighter than the water or, more specifically, less dense than water

• The oil and water do not mix because of something called "intermolecular polarity"

Density of Oil & Water

• Molecular polarity basically means that water molecules are attracted to other water molecules.

• Molecules of the same substance get along fine, and can loosely bond together

• This is similar to magnets that are attracted to each other

Density of Oil & Water

• Oil molecules are attracted to other oil molecules; they get along fine as well

• But the different structures of the two types of molecules do not allow them to bond together

Materials

• Empty water bottle• Alka-Seltzer antacid

tablets• Vegetable Oil (the

lighter the oil the better)

• Food coloring• Funnel

Procedure

1. Using a funnel pour one part water, three parts oil into the bottle.

2. Wait a few minutes for the oil and water separate. The water will drop and the oil will rise.

3. Add 10 drops of food coloring to the bottle. Wait for drops to pass through the oil then mix with the water below.

4. Break a alka-seltzer tablet in half and drop the half tablet into the bottle. Watch it sink to the bottom and let the blobby greatness begin!

5. To keep the effect going, just keep adding alka-seltzer tablets.

More Fun!

• For a true lava lamp effect, shine a flashlight through the bottom of the bottle.

For more information on topics like this visit our Resource page at www.Microempowering.org