Lava Lamp Experiment, Science At Home

This is so super fun and easy experiment to do at home!
Here's what we did...

We used a small plastic coke bottle for ours, but you can use what ever you like. The shape and size make this bottle are fairly ideal. We have done this with 2 liter bottles, but it was very large and used a TON of oil!

So... we added a small amount of water to the bottom of the bottle using a funnel and small pitcher of water (a little pouring practice). 

Next we added the oil, and finally we added the liquid food coloring. 

We used Neon colors, but you can use what ever you have on hand. 

This is a great opportunity to talk about liquid density, and of course makes for great observation and introduction to new vocabulary.

Then comes the real fun! Adding the Alka-Seltzer! You can find it anywhere!

We started by adding half of a tablet to observe the reaction. When the tablet makes it's way down to the water is dissolves and creates bubbles of carbon dioxide - they rise to the surface carrying the water with them. When the bubbles reach the surface the water sinks back through the oil to the bottom of the bottle. Almost mesmerizing :)

While you are at it how about a little colour mixing!

How exciting!!

Don't forget to grab a magnifying glass!

I have had great fun pinning easy kids science experiments and activities to do at home!

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Visit some our Science & Nature fun in the following links if you missed them!

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2013/10/making-montessori-great-lessons-ours.html

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2014/02/science-nature-books-and-science-kits.html

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2011/05/solar-system-project.html

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2013/01/a-visit-to-space-part-2-montessori.html

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2013/01/montessori-inspired-space-exploration.html

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2013/07/shell-sea-shore-exploration-unit.html

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2014/02/volcano-activity-day.html

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2013/11/visiting-museums-with-kids-visit-to.html

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2012/03/canadian-museum-of-nature-whales-tohora.html

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2013/03/montessori-physics-water-buoyancy-unit.html

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2013/04/our-back-yard-nature-identification.html#more  

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2012/03/botany-1-montessori-botany-cabinet-work.html

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2012/03/botany-2-montessori-leaf-cabinet-work.html

http://makingmontessoriours.blogspot.ca/2012/02/montessori-zoology-cabinet-work.html

Thanks for visiting with us!