Science Experiments

We continue to have fun with our "science experiments" moving from physical science into chemical science. I really should start setting aside just "one" day to blog experimental fun, maybe a Friday, as the end of the week often requires something a little "exciting" to cap it off!

Anyway, last week, we made Sherbert which was a huge success all round. Do you recall your whizz fizz days from your childhood? Well ... add the right amount of "citric acid" and you will be glorifying in reminiscing of your childhood days sticking that little plastic spoon in a big bag of whizz fizz and oohhing and ahhing at the taste sensation.

SHERBERT

What you need:

Icing sugar
Citric acid or tartaric acid
Sodium bicarbonate
Cup measure
Teaspoon

What you do:

Take ¼ cup of icing sugar.
Add ½ teaspoon of bicarbonate and ½ teaspoon of citric or tartaric acid.
Mix ingredients together.
Taste.

What do you notice?

You may have to adjust the ingredients to make it sweet enough or to produce more or less fizz.

What is the science?

The citric acid reacts with the sodium bicarbonate when it becomes wet with saliva in the mouth to produce carbon dioxide.

We do not normally eat items that we use in Science. All of these items are considered to be chemicals, and thus must be treated with caution!

NEW GOO (aka SLIME)

This week, now that I have located the Borax thanks to a dear friend (and she knows who she is), we can make the sensory sensation of SLIME!!

What yo need:

2 bowls
Measuring implements
White Glue
Water
Food Colouring
Stirring Spoons
Borax

What you do:

1. Take 1 cup of white glue and add 1/2 cup of water. Mix. The water will dilute the glue mix for use in this experiment.
2. Add 4 drops of your choice of food colouring to the bowl (glue/water mix)
3. In the other bowl, add 1/2 cup warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of borax (this is to dissolve the borax.)
4. Pour one bowl into the other bowl.

Watch as a chemical reaction takes place, the mixture coagulates as the slime is being formed. You then need to work the slime with your hands.

What is the Science?

Students learn to identify the difference between a physical change and a chemical one. It gives them an example of observations of changes that occur in the production of a new substance that indicates a chemical reaction has taken place. It shows how the products are very different to those of the reactants and how a chemical reaction is extremely difficult to reverse. It also shows how reactant in a reaction must be mixed in the right proportions if the required product is to result (idea of following a recipe correctly.) mixing concrete, making cakes or scones are all everyday examples of the same type of reaction.

With regards to the BORAX, it helps connect the glue molecules, resulting in long connect chains of molecules.