Oobleck
Oobleck is the name of this substance that resembles the green rain Dr. Seuss describes in his book Bartholomew and the Oobleck. It is a unique substance that exhibits properties of both liquids and solids.
Each student needs:
- Green food coloring
- Bowl
- 1 16-oz box cornstarch
- Table covering
- 1 1/2 cups water
- Paper towels
- Measuring cup
Instruction
- Add several drops of food coloring to the water.
- Pour half the water in the bowl.
- Add the entire box of cornstarch.
- Mix, adding the remaining water slowly until the mixture flows like a liquid when the bowl is tipped and feels like a solid on the surface.
- Add more cornstarch if the mixture is too soupy or water if it is too thick.
Oobleck is best cleaned up dry. Never pour it down the drain! It will cause a clog. Let any spillage dry, then sweet up or wipe away.
It's a Solid...It's a Liquid...It's Oobleck! (Good background and a video, from Scientific America, Bring Science Home series)