Oobleck is a fun, gooey substance that acts like both a solid and a liquid, made by mixing cornstarch and water.
What Makes Oobleck Special?
Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, which means it doesn't follow the typical rules of liquids. Here's why it's so cool:
- Solid-like under pressure: If you squeeze it, punch it, or roll it into a ball, it feels solid. This is because applying pressure forces the cornstarch particles together.
- Liquid-like when relaxed: When you stop applying pressure, oobleck flows like a liquid. The cornstarch particles can move freely past each other.
- Easy to make: It only requires two ingredients: cornstarch and water!
How to Make Oobleck: A Simple Recipe
Here's how you can make oobleck at home:
- Gather your ingredients: You'll need cornstarch, water, a bowl, and a spoon or your hands for mixing.
- Mix cornstarch and water: Start with about 1 cup of cornstarch in the bowl. Gradually add water, a little at a time, mixing as you go.
- Find the right consistency: Keep adding water until the mixture feels solid when you squeeze it, but flows like liquid when you stop. It's usually around a 2:1 ratio of cornstarch to water.
- Play and experiment! Once you have the right consistency, you can try rolling it into a ball, punching it, or letting it drip through your fingers.
Fun Things to Do with Oobleck
- Walking on Oobleck: Create a large batch in a kiddie pool and try walking (quickly!) across it. The faster you move, the more solid it will feel.
- Oobleck Volcano: Add a small container to your oobleck mixture and place baking soda in the container. Add vinegar for an eruption of oobleck.
- Sensory Play: Let kids explore oobleck with their hands, scoops, and other toys.
- Color Mixing: Add food coloring to the water before mixing it with the cornstarch to create colorful oobleck.
Why is it called Oobleck?
The name "Oobleck" comes from the Dr. Seuss book Bartholomew and the Oobleck, where a gooey substance falls from the sky.
Oobleck is a safe, non-toxic, and fascinating way for kids to explore science and have fun! It provides a hands-on learning experience about the states of matter and the properties of fluids.
