GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A non-Newtonian fluid -- is it a solid or is it a liquid?
It actually acts like both and called oobleck! We will learn all about viscosity and pressure while making some oobleck! Here’s what you need to get started!
- Mixing bowl
- Large spoon
- Corn starch
- Water
- Food coloring
Step 1: Pour about 1 cup of water into your large mixing bowl
Step 2: Add food coloring if you want to make it colorful!
Step 3: Add about 1 to 2 parts corn starch and pour about 1-2 cups of corn starch into the bowl
Step 4: Mix together – add more corn starch if the mixture gets too runny and add more water if the mixture gets too firm.
We have made a non-newtonian fluid called oobleck both acting like a solid and a liquid! How does this work? We are all use to substances changing states when temperatures change like water freezing to ice. What about changing the pressure? That's what we are doing here with the oobleck. When we apply pressure to our oobleck we increase its viscosity or its thickness and when we add this pressure it forces the corn starch particles together forming a solid like substance. On the other hand, when we release this pressure it decreases the viscosity and gives the cornstarch particles time to move forming a liquid like substance.
Key tip!!! Do not put oobleck down the drain!! You must throw it out in the trash or else you will end up with a big plumbing problem!
