Cosmic Eruptions: DIY Galaxy Lava Lamp

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Ages: 6-12

Objective: Engage children in an exciting and visually stunning experiment to create their own galaxy-themed lava lamp while exploring the concepts of density and chemical reactions.

Materials Needed:

  1. Clear plastic bottle (such as a soda bottle)
  2. Water
  3. Vegetable oil
  4. Effervescent tablets (such as Alka-Seltzer)
  5. Liquid food coloring (blue, purple, pink)
  6. Glitter (assorted colors)
  7. Optional: Glow-in-the-dark stars or stickers for decoration

Procedure:

  1. Begin by filling the clear plastic bottle about two-thirds full with water.

  2. Add a few drops of liquid food coloring to the water, using blue, purple, and pink to create a galaxy-themed color scheme. Swirl the bottle gently to mix the colors.

  3. Add glitter of assorted colors to the water in the bottle. The glitter will represent the stars and colorful gases found in galaxies.

  4. Fill the remaining space in the bottle with vegetable oil, leaving a small gap at the top to allow for expansion.

  5. Seal the lid of the bottle tightly and shake gently to mix the water, food coloring, and glitter together.

  6. Break an effervescent tablet (such as Alka-Seltzer) into small pieces and drop them into the bottle one at a time.

  7. Observe as the effervescent tablet reacts with the water, creating bubbles that rise through the oil and carry colored droplets and glitter with them, resembling a cosmic eruption.

  8. Optional: Decorate the outside of the bottle with glow-in-the-dark stars or stickers to enhance the galaxy theme.

Explanation:

  • The Cosmic Eruptions experiment demonstrates the principles of density and chemical reactions. Oil is less dense than water, so it floats on top of the water rather than mixing with it. When an effervescent tablet is added to the water, it reacts with the water to produce carbon dioxide gas, which forms bubbles that carry colored droplets and glitter through the oil, creating a mesmerizing lava lamp effect.

Extensions:

  1. Encourage children to research and learn more about galaxies and the different types that exist in our universe, such as spiral galaxies and elliptical galaxies.
  2. Discuss with children the science behind density and chemical reactions, using the experiment as a visual aid.
  3. Explore other variations of the experiment, such as using different types of oil (such as baby oil or mineral oil) or adding additional elements such as sequins or beads to represent different features of a galaxy.
  4. Challenge kids to create hypotheses and conduct experiments to test how factors such as the size of the bottle or the amount of water used affect the appearance of the cosmic eruptions.
  5. Host a "galactic eruption" party where children can create their own galaxy lava lamps and share their observations and discoveries with each other.

Safety Note:

  • Remind children not to ingest any of the materials used in the experiment. Supervise younger children closely to ensure they handle the effervescent tablets and other materials safely and avoid spilling the contents of the bottle.

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