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Science Blog

Post #1 DIY Lava Lamp

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Materials:

i) Bottle 

(Has to be see-through, Fairly common to find, prices vary depending on the type you purchase) 

ii) Vegetable oil 

(1,000-1300 rs for one liter. Note that one whole liter is NOT needed for the experiment)  

iii) Food coloring 

(Colour is your choice, prices range from 50rs to 400rs based on the size of container) 

iv) Alka-Seltzer 

(rs 2,850 for 20 tablets, however only one is needed. ENO can also be used if Alka-seltzer is not available) 

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Method: 

i) Fill the bottle halfway with the vegetable oil) Fill the rest of the bottle with water 

iii) Add food coloring 

iv) Add the Alka-seltzer tablets

v) Watch the experiment happen! If it slows down, add more tablets.

 

Relation to science 

Density is the measure of how much of a substance fits in a certain space or area. If you take the same volume of oil and water you will find that water is heavier than the oil (larger mass so, therefore, denser, Formula of density is Density=Mass/volume), meaning the water will sink to the bottom of the container. 

Furthermore, polarity comes into play to make sure that the water and the oil do not mix. Due to the oil molecules being non-polar, they are not attracted to the water molecules, meaning that the oil and water will not mix 

The Alka-seltzer reacts with the water to produce carbon dioxide gas bubbles, these will stick to the water droplets, making them less dense than the oil allowing them to rise to the top. Once the top has been reached, the gas bubbles escape and the water falls to the bottom again. 

WhatsApp Image 2020-06-01 at 2.37.45 PM.
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