Oobleck

Safety

  • Make sure you have an adult helping you
  • Make sure you’re in a place where it's ok to make a mess!

Supplies

  • Cornstarch
  • Water
  • Bowl 
  • Spoon

Directions

  1. Add some cornstarch to the bowl 
  2. Optional: Add a few drops of food coloring to the bowl to make it whatever color you want!
  3. Add water to the bowl a little bit at a time, stirring as you go. 
  4. You'll know you've added enough water when you can pick up pieces of the oobleck, and when you pick it up, it turns to a slimy liquid.
  5. If you add too much water, you can always add some more cornstarch. 

Observations

  • What happens to the oobleck if you grab it and squeeze it?
  • What happens if you pick up some oobleck and then let it drip through your fingers?
  • How could something both act like a solid AND a liquid?

What’s happening?!?

Oobleck is what is called a non-Newtonian fluid.  That means that it acts both like a liquid and like a solid - depending on the forces that are exerted on it.  Another example of a non-Newtonian fluid is silly putty!

Have questions?  email us!

 

 
 
   


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