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Lava Lamp Science Experiment
STEM activity for kids
The Lava Lamp Science Experiment for kids is a simple and fascinating STEM activity!
DIY Lava Lamps are a classic, science activity perfect for kids of any age and explores water properties, cause and effect, density and polarity.
purpose
Fascinating and hands-on way to explore science
Explores cause and effect
Hands-on way to explore density and polarity
Experiment with carbon dioxide
directions
How to do the
Lava Lamp Science Experiment
Fill the bottom of a jar with water (We filled our jar about 1/8 with water)
Fill the rest of the jar with vegetable oil nearly to the top
Add drops of food coloring
Break the Alka Seltzer Tablets into fourths
Invite your child to drop in a tablet and watch the magic!
Keep adding Alka Seltzer tablets and watch the magic continue!
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What is the Science Behind the Lava Lamp Experiment?
After the water and oil are added to the jar, the oil floats above the water because it is lighter than water (it has a lower density).
The water and oil do not ever mix because of polarity. Water is polar and oil is non-polar.
When the food coloring is added-it shoots through the oil and goes straight to the bottom because it is heavier than oil.
When the tablet is added and dissolves-a gas is created (carbon dioxide).
Carbon dioxide is lighter than water so it floats up to the surface bringing a little of the colored water with it as it does.
Once the gas bubble reaches the surface it breaks and the colored water floats back to the bottom of the jar!
