Make a Spooky Halloween Lava Lamp

The lava lamp is so colorful that kids cannot resist the temptation to have it. For the Halloween is coming soon, I decide to make a Spooky Halloween Lava Lamp，by using the household materials. Hope you enjoy it.

Ages: 3+                Est. Time: < 20 mins

 Safety 

1. Adult supervision.
2. Be careful with the fragile glassware.
3. The oil can make the floor ever slippy.

 Materials List 

• Effervescent tablets
• Water
• Cooking oil
• Food coloring
• Beaker (any transparent container)
• Spooky Halloween lava lamp

 Instruction 

Step 1/4 – Pour some water into the beaker (about 1/4 full) and drops of food coloring. Stir them up.

 

Step 2/4 – Add some cooking oil (to about 4/3 full). Leave it for a little while and you can see there are two layers.

Step 3/4 – Put the beaker on the flashlight.

Step 4/4 – Put a piece of Effervescent Tablets into the wine glass. And, then you get your Lava Lamp.

 Troubleshooting 

Why are there not many bubbles, in comparison to yours?

– You can add more effervescent tablets.

 Scientific Description 

In this experiment, the density of water is heavier than that of the oil so the water stays on the bottom. The density of food coloring is heavier than that of the oil so it goes down when it is added onto the cooking oil. The effervescent tablet contains acids and sodium bicarbonate, which react to produce carbon dioxide gas when dissolved in water. The gas releases from the water in bubbles composed of a water film and carbon dioxide. The density of the bubble is lighter than water and oil so it will go up to the surface and the carbon dioxide releases out of the bubble leaving water that will go down to the bottom.

 Extensions 

We have done the simple Lava Lamp Science Experiment before. Spark out your creativity to have more Lava lamp ideas.