Oobleck

Students will explore the properties of a non-Newtonian fluid by making and experimenting with oobleck.

Materials: 

• Water

• Cornstarch

• Food coloring (optional)

• Large mixing bowls

• Plastic tablecloths (to cover tables)

• Towels or paper towels (for cleanup)

Time Needed: 45 minutes

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I Do: 10 Minutes 

• Give a presentation about oobleck

  • What happens when you push into a bowl of water? What if it was a bowl of honey instead?

  • Explain what viscosity means

  • Introduce oobleck (show a video) and what a non-Newtonian fluid is

    • When force is applied, oobleck acts like a solid. When there is no force, it acts like a liquid

    • Behavior depends on how much force is applied

We Do: 30 Minutes

• Mix about 2 parts cornstarch with 1 part water, adding more of each as needed until the consistency is correct. The mixture should feel solid when squeezed but flow like a liquid when held gently.

• Let students explore how the oobleck behaves (squeezing, punching)

• Clean up!!

You Do: 10 Minutes

• Group discussion: Reflect and observe. Is it a solid or a liquid? How does it behave when force is applied? What happens when no force is applied?​