Make Your Own Oobleck!
Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, a rule-breaker in the world of physics. It changes state from liquid to solid based on pressure. When force is applied, the liquid oobleck acts like a solid!
Kids can enjoy learning the science of non-Newtonian fluids, and experimenting with oobleck to discover its properties. Tap it, push it, try to pick it up, squeeze it into a ball, then let it go. Glide your fingers through it, stir it slowly, swish it around, pour it into another container. When does it act like a liquid? When is it solid?
Making and playing with oobleck requires creativity and imagination. The recipe is super simple, with just one main ingredient that you probably already have at home—cornstarch.
Oobleck Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water
- 1 ½ cups of cornstarch
- Food coloring or tempera paint (optional)
Preparation
- Pour the cornstarch into a mixing bowl
- For colorful oobleck, add a few drops of food coloring or tempera paint to your water.
- Add the water to the cornstarch slowly, mixing with your hands as you go. Keep adding water until the mixture feels like honey or slime and hardens when you tap on it.
