Science: Lava Lamp...Minus the Lamp!

This fun and exciting science experiment can be done with different colours and objects to go with celebrations during any season.

You Will Need:

• a clear mason jar or glass (I've used an Erlenmeyer flask in the science lab, mwa ha ha!)
• A small bottle (250 ml) of baby oil
• 3-4 tbsp water
• 1 tsp white tempera paint (or other colour to go with a celebration)
• alka-seltzer tablets, broken up, but not pounded into powder (aim for dime sized pieces)
• some small light objects to go with your holiday/season (here we have used silver glitter, but we have done this with green paint and plastic coins for St. Patrick's day or differently shaped table confetti works well.)

Method:

1. Add baby oil to the jar 
2. In a separate container, combine the water and paint, and mix until it is a uniform consistency.
3. Add paint mixture to the jar, it will sink below the oil.
4. Add glitter or table confetti or other small, light plastic objects.
5. Have the child drop in a piece of the alka-seltzer tablet, and watch what happens.

What is happening:

The tablet, being heavier than the water and oil, will sink to the bottom of the jar.  The bubbles it creates float to the top, (because they are lighter than the water and oil), which pushes the painty water and objects upward. Once the bubble reaches the top, it pops, and the painty water and objects which are heavier than the oil, sink back down to the bottom until another bubble carries them up.

I hope you've enjoyed this experiment! Please visit my website: www.booksofafeather.weebly.com to learn more about Heather, and check out her cool children's books!