Observations and results
What is happening when you squeeze the Oobleck? What is happening when you release the pressure? Does the Oobleck remind you of anything else?
The Oobleck mixture isn't your typical liquid—or solid. The cornstarch-and-water mixture creates a fluid that acts more like quicksand than water: applying force (squeezing or tapping it) causes it to become thicker. If you were trapped in a tub of Oobleck, what would be the best way to escape?
Share your Oobleck observations and results! Leave a comment below or share your photos and feedback on Scientific American's Facebook page.
Cleanup
Wash hands with water. Add plenty of extra water to the mixture before pouring it down the drain. Wipe up any dried cornstarch with a dry cloth before cleaning up any remaining residue with a damp sponge.
More to explore
"What is Jell-O?" from Scientific American
"Ask the Experts: What Is Quicksand?" from Scientific American
"States of Matter" overview from Idaho Public Television's Dialogue for Kids
Slime and Goo activities from the American Chemical Society's Science for Kids
Oobleck, Slime & Dancing Spaghetti: Twenty terrific at-home science experiments inspired by favorite children's books by Jennifer Williams, ages 4–8
The Everything Kids' Easy Science Experiments Book: Explore the world of science through quick and easy experiments! By J. Elizabeth Mills, ages 9–12
Up next…
The Magic of Gravity
What you'll need
• Coin
• Bottle, jar or canister with a small top opening (larger—but not too much bigger—than the coin)
• 3- by-5-inch note card or other sturdy piece of paper
• Scissors
• Tape
• Pen or pencil
• Water (optional)
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4 Comments
Add CommentThis is cool, even for an adult woman without children handy! I mixed some up just for fun. But seeing how solid it could be, I was afraid to dilute it down the drain. So I poured it out onto a big sheet of aluminum foil, and set it out in the garage to evaporate. After a few days, in the trash it went. Makes me want some silly putty again -lol
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis is a cool activity. I did this about 6 weeks ago in response to a question my 10 yr. old grandson about quicksand. I remembered doing this as a kid,but withouth the scientific info to go along with it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYears later in a chemistry class it all 'coalesced' (pun intended) for me when we were talking about solids, liquids and gasses.
I always have fun with it when I am using cornstarch to thicken anything I am cooking. Even old grandmas play with their food sometimes.
Thanks and keep the activities coming.
This is a great activity but I think there is a teaching opportunity missing. Cornstarch molecules are long and stringy, like spaghetti. A bowl of spaghetti noodles acts just like this substance - punch it and your fist is stopped, but push your fist into it slowly and the noodles have time to move out of the way and your fist penetrates the surface. Even very young children seem to understand this example and it gives them a peek into the idea that the shape of molecules has something to do with the way they behave.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe have done this many times for fun at home, but never built in the lesson about changing the state of matter through change in pressure as opposed to temperature. I like the point about the shape of cornstarch molecules too. I will post a video of my 8 yr old mixing up some oobleck on the Scientific American FB page
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