Description
Capture a bolt of lightning and a burst of rainbow in a jar! This electrifying experiment is part science, part magic, and 100% mesmerizing fun for all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 clear glass jar with a tight-sealing lid
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap (creates the swirling ‘shockwave’ effect)
- A few drops of food coloring in rainbow shades (red, blue, yellow, green)
- 1 teaspoon glow-in-the-dark paint (non-toxic) or glowing powder
- 1 teaspoon multicolor glitter
- A long spoon or stir stick for mixing
Instructions
- Mix the Glow Base: Pour the water into your jar. Add the glow-in-the-dark paint or powder and stir vigorously until it is fully dissolved and the water is uniformly glowing.
- Add the Swirl Power: Pour in the teaspoon of dish soap. Gently stir it in to combine, but avoid creating too many bubbles at the surface.
- Create the Rainbow Blast: Carefully drop different colors of food coloring around the inside edge of the jar. Do not stir! Let them sink and settle on their own for a moment.
- Add the Sparkle: Generously sprinkle the multicolor glitter into the jar. This will become the sparkling energy within your shockwave.
- Seal It Tight: Secure the lid on the jar as tightly as possible. For extra security, you can glue the lid shut or seal it with waterproof tape, especially if young scientists are involved.
- Unleash the Energy: Hold the jar upright and give it a firm, slow swirl in a circular motion. Watch as the colors and glitter erupt into a magnificent, glowing vortex. Shake it to mix everything, then swirl again to recreate the shockwave!
Notes
- For the Best Glow: ‘Charge’ your jar under a bright light or a flashlight for 1-2 minutes before turning off the lights for a truly dazzling display.
- Color Theory: Use primary colors (red, yellow, blue) for the most vibrant rainbow; they mix to create secondary colors like orange, green, and purple.
- Shockwave Control: A slow, steady swirl creates a long-lasting ‘storm’ effect, while a vigorous shake creates a chaotic energy blast.
- Safety First: Supervise younger children closely and handle the glass jar with care to avoid drops and breaks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Craft
- Method: Mixing
- 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