🧪 Science with Sarah: States of matter

Hello parents, teachers and students! Here’s a pair of activities to explore the three states of matter.

Be sure to check out GMSA@9 on Wednesdays when Meteorologist Sarah Spivey does the demonstrations and explains the science behind it.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED

FOR THE OOBLECK

• A large container
• 2 cups corn starch
• 1 cup water
• Food dye (optional)

FOR THE SODA BALLOON

• Kosher salt
• A balloon
• Personal soda bottle (preferably diet/sugar-free to avoid a sticky mess!)
• Container (optional)

DO THE ACTIVITY: Oobleck

ABOUT OOBLECK: Because cornstarch is not totally soluble in water, it can make a non-Newtonian fluid when combined with water.

A non-Newtonian fluid does not follow Newton’s laws of viscosity. That may be a mouthful, but basically, Oobleck is a fluid that can exist both as a solid and a liquid depending on how much force you use!

• STEP 1: Measure out 1/2 cup of water and add the food dye to the water
• STEP 2: In the large container, place 1 cup of cornstarch
• STEP 3: Pour the colored water into the large container with the cornstarch and mix using your hands (NOTE: This will be messy! Make sure to have plenty of paper towels nearby and maybe use an apron to cover your clothes!)
• STEP 4: Try compressing the Oobleck in your hands into a ball. Observe how it quickly “melts” into a liquid.

• STEP 5: You can store your Oobleck in the fridge to use for later. When you’re ready to dispose of your Oobleck, throw it away in the trash. Large amounts of cornstarch should not go down the pipes.

DO THE ACTIVITY: Soda Balloon

Carbon dioxide gas is trapped inside of liquid...that’s soda! This activity shows just how much gas is in a soda bottle by trapping it in a balloon.

• STEP 1: Put some kosher salt in the balloon. We use kosher salt because the larger crystals make a bigger reaction!
• STEP 2: Carefully place the balloon on the opening of the soda bottle. DO NOT DUMP THE SALT IN THE BALLOON...yet. It should dangle off of the side of the soda bottle.
• STEP 3: Place the soda bottle with the attached salt balloon in a container to avoid a mess
• STEP 4: Carefully lift up the balloon to dump the salt into the soda bottle. You’ll notice the balloon quickly fill with bubbles!

SCIENCE WITH SARAH

If you’d like Sarah to come to your school and conduct a science experiment live on KSAT, fill out this form. “Winners” are selected at random.