Science experiments don’t just have to be conducted in a laboratory. You can do it yourself at home using readily available items. It doesn’t matter if it’s a rainy day, there’s no idea to do anything or you’re just a big science fan, here are 10 fun experiments that can help you (and your kids) understand the basic principles of biology, chemistry and physics easily:
1. Egg separator bottle
Ingredients needed:
1. Raw egg
2. Two bowls or plates
3. Empty water bottle
How did it happen?
When you squeeze the bottle, you force the air out. Then, when you point the nozzle of the bottle over the yolk and stop squeezing the bottle, a suction will be created and cause the air and the yolk to quickly fill the void you have.
The air pressure inside the bottle is lower than outside, so the air will push the egg yolk into the bottle.
2. The Oobleck Experiment
Ingredients needed:
1. Water
2. Cornflour
3. Medium sized bowl
4. Food coloring (optional)
Note: this experiment can be quite messy, so make sure you wear an apron or old shirt and run the experiment in an open space you don’t mind making a mess like your yard.
How is it run?
Oobleck, named after the book Dr. Seuss’s “Bartholomew and the Oobleck” is a non-Newtonian fluid. This means, sometimes when it is poured, it will act like a liquid, but when it is subjected to some force (such as pressed by hand), it will act like a solid.
3. Blow up balloons using vinegar and baking soda
Ingredients needed:
1. Vinegar
2. A bottle with a tapered nozzle
3. Balloons
4. Baking soda
How did it happen?
This experiment uses the same techniques that are often used to power volcano models in other science experiments, but you don’t have to go to the trouble of building a volcano.
When baking soda and vinegar mix, it will react and produce carbon dioxide (CO2) which will inflate the balloon.
4. Using capillary action to color flowers
Ingredients needed:
1. Freshly picked flowers (can be replaced with celery if there are no flowers)
2. Glass or jar
3. Food colouring
4. Scissors
5. Patience (this experiment usually shows results in 4-6 hours. Sometimes up to 24 hours)
How did it happen?
Once water is absorbed in the stem, it evaporates through the flower petals and leaves through pores called stomata. This process called transpiration will cause the colored water to flow through the petals to be evaporated. Then a new flower color is produced.
5. Understand density using carbonated canned water
Ingredients needed:
1. Unopened cans of soda (regular, diet and low sugar).
2. A large container for filling water
How did it happen?
The difference in density between regular and diet carbonated canned water due to the addition of sugar causes the can to float and sink.
6. The magic plastic bag
Ingredients needed:
1. Ziploc type plastic bag
2. A few sharpened pencils
3. Enough water to fill a plastic bag
Note: This experiment is best done in the bathroom or at the sink because you will be ‘tempted’ to pull out the pencil and cause the water to overflow.
How did it happen?
Ziploc plastic bags are manufactured using a flexible polymer. When it is punched, the plastic will stretch and create a tight, strong fit around the pencil. So, the bag will not leak.
7. “Ghosts” of Flying Tissues
Ingredients needed:
1. A balloon that is filled with air
2. Facial tissue
3. Shirt or hair to rub the balloon to generate static electricity
How is it run?
The balloon will be rubbed to create a negative charge on the balloon. When the balloon is brought close to positively charged tissue, it will attract the tissue and cause the tissue to “fly.”
8. Raisin “Dance”.
Ingredients needed:
1. Raisins
2. A bottle of carbonated water
3. Transparent glass
How did it happen?
The small bubbles of carbon dioxide found in carbonated water will ‘catch’ the wrinkles and creases found on the surface of the raisins. When this foam adheres to the raisins, the raisins will become lighter and float to the top.
When it reaches the surface, the foam will burst, the raisins will become heavy again and sink to the bottom. This repeated process will make the raisins look like they are dancing and moving magically.
9. Round-colored milk
Ingredients needed:
1. Disposable plates or bowls
2. Full cream milk (just enough to cover the bottom of the plate/bowl)
3. Food colouring
4. Cotton buds
5. Dish soap
Note: This experiment may also cause the water to break. So make sure you do it in the right place.
How did it happen?
Food coloring is less dense than milk. So, any dye that drips into the plate/bowl will float on the surface. However, adding dish soap using the tip of a cotton bud will break down the surface by dissolving milk fat molecules. The dye will then begin to move across the surface of the milk as it tries to get away from the soap.