how to make non newtonian fluids by yourself
How to Make Non-Newtonian Fluids By Yourself
The idea of teaching rheological properties in continuum mechanics might seem boring and tiresome to most teachers. Buzzle has got it sorted for you. Presenting an activity, to make oobleck, a non-Newtonian fluid with cornstarch and water, to help scholars develop a better understanding of the same.
- A pair of disposable gloves
- 2 cups of cornstarch
- A bottle of liquid starch
- Color additive
- 1 lab dropper
- A large bowl
- 1 cup of water
- An airtight jar or a Ziploc bag
- One medium-sized aluminum mold
- A bottle of glue
- A sheet of kitchen paper
- Put on the gloves neatly to cover your palms and wrist.
- Take the large bowl and put the cornstarch in it.
- Gradually, pour water in the bowl to make a smooth and silky cornstarch paste.
- Go on adding more cornstarch or water to the bowl, in order to make the mixture thicker or thinner, respectively.
- Go on stirring with your hands until you can feel the pressure from the fluid on your hands. This pressure shall decrease with speed, and increase with an increase in speed.
- Add some food color to the oobleck to give it a 'jello' or 'slimey' appearance. This will increase the fun for the students.
- Stir the mixture slowly with a finger and experience how smoothly it swirls. Now, gradually increase your speed of stirring. The mixture now tries to restrict your movement inside it.
- Take some mixture in the aluminum mold, and try to roll it into a ball with continuous rotation and application of a light force with your palm. Then, release that ball of the mixture and watch it spread according to the shape of the mold.
- Dip your finger very slowly in the mixture that has spread, and observe how it gets dipped easily. Now, try to slap its surface with a swift motion of your palm. Observe that the 'oobleck' offers resistance to this move. Also, the fluid does not splash as expected. Instead, it forms an even firmer solid surface.
- Take a bowl and pour the glue in it.
- Add a few drops of color additives using a dropper, and mix well until the color is evenly spread.
- Pour liquid starch over the colored glue.
- Stir up the contents of the bowl and let it sit for at least 5 minutes.
- Extract the entire contents of the bowl, and place it on a clean sheet of kitchen paper.
- Knead thoroughly for about 10 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Roll a ball out of the silly putty. Hit that ball against a hard surface and watch it bounce.
- Hold the ball between the fingers and give it a quick snap. The entire portion 'breaks' into two.
- Now, take some of your product in your hands and spread your fingers. The silly putty shall 'flow' in between your fingers.