Solid or Liquid? Dr Seuss' Oobleck Lab (very easy starch and water)
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Perfect for K-6 and fun for Gr 7-9. In this lab we will create a very strange polymer that shows signs of a liquid (it pours) but also shows sign of a solid (doesn't splatter). Its extremely easy to make with just corn starch and water in the proper proportions.
The word polymer means “many chained” molecule. Carbon and Hydrogen can form very long strong chains that make life possible. In this activity the students will create a very long chain affectionately called “Oobleck”. It comes from a 1949 book by Dr. Seuss entitled Bartholomew and the Oobleck.” The King of Didd complained about all the rain and snow and his Magicians changed it to a green slime called Oobleck which then menaced the town. It ended when the King contritely said he was "Sorry".
For the older kids, I have them figure out the moles of starch and water in each Dixie cup first by weighing each on a triple balance. I also go into a debate on whether "Oobleck" should be classified as a solid or a liquid.
