Magic Color Changing Milk Experiment

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 Ages: 5-10

Objective: Engage children in a captivating and educational experiment to observe the effects of surface tension and soap on milk, creating a magical color-changing display.

Materials Needed:

  1. Whole milk (low-fat or skim milk may not work as well)
  2. Liquid food coloring (assorted colors)
  3. Dish soap
  4. Cotton swabs or small droppers
  5. Shallow dish or plate

Procedure:

  1. Pour a thin layer of whole milk into the shallow dish or plate, covering the bottom completely.

  2. Add drops of liquid food coloring to the surface of the milk, spacing them out evenly and using a variety of colors.

  3. Dip a cotton swab or small dropper into dish soap, ensuring it is saturated but not dripping.

  4. Gently touch the soapy cotton swab or dropper to the surface of the milk, near the center of the dish.

  5. Observe as the colors on the surface of the milk suddenly swirl and mix together, creating mesmerizing patterns and effects.

  6. Encourage children to experiment with different techniques and movements to see how they affect the swirls and patterns.

Explanation:

  • The Magic Color Changing Milk Experiment demonstrates the concept of surface tension and the interaction between hydrophobic (water-repelling) and hydrophilic (water-attracting) substances.
  • Whole milk contains fats and proteins that give it surface tension, allowing it to resist mixing with other liquids. Liquid food coloring spreads out on the surface of the milk due to this surface tension.
  • Dish soap disrupts the surface tension of the milk by breaking down the fat molecules. This causes the colors to swirl and mix together as the soap molecules spread out across the surface.

Extensions:

  1. Encourage children to hypothesize and experiment with different types of milk (such as skim milk or soy milk) to see how they affect the results of the experiment.
  2. Discuss with children the science behind surface tension and the properties of soap molecules, using the experiment as a visual aid.
  3. Explore other variations of the experiment, such as using different types of liquids (such as water or juice) or adding different substances (such as salt or sugar) to the milk to observe how they affect the interaction with the soap.
  4. Challenge kids to create art or designs on the surface of the milk using the dish soap, combining science with creativity.
  5. Host a "colorful milk party" where children can take turns conducting the experiment and sharing 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 dish soap and other substances safel 

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