Description
A stunning science trick demonstrating the reaction between oil, water, and effervescent tablets.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 clear glass jar or container
- Vegetable oil (enough to fill 3⁄4 of the jar)
- Water (1⁄2 cup)
- Red and blue food coloring
- Ice cubes (crushed or small pieces)
- 1 Alka-Seltzer tablet (or similar effervescent tablet)
- Spoon or dropper
Instructions
- Start by pouring vegetable oil into your clear jar, filling it about 3⁄4 full. Allow the oil to settle for a few moments.
- In a separate small cup, mix 1⁄2 cup of water with several drops of red food coloring until you achieve your desired shade. Carefully pour this colored water into the jar, allowing it to sink to the bottom beneath the oil layer.
- Next, take your ice cubes or small pieces of ice and add them gently on top of the oil layer. The ice will float on top due to the differing densities.
- Now, break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into pieces. Take a piece and drop it into the jar. Watch closely as the reaction occurs, and observe the bubbles of red ‘fire’ rise and swirl through the layers of oil and ice.
- For an extra dramatic effect, add a few drops of blue food coloring to some of the ice cubes just before they melt. Feel free to drop in more pieces of the Alka-Seltzer tablet afterward for additional reactions and excitement.
Notes
- Experiment with different colors! You can use green or purple food coloring to create unique effects as well.
- Try varying the temperature of the water you use for the colored mix. Warmer water may react more vigorously, while colder water can create different visual effects.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Science Trick
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: N/A
Nutrition
- Serving Size: N/A
- Calories: N/A
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: N/A
- Cholesterol: N/A