- You will need; a clear, recycled jar with lid, water, food colouring, glitter, vegetable oil and salt.
- Fill the jar three-quarters full of water.
- Add a few drops of food colouring until you like the colour you see.
- Sprinkle in some glitter for extra sparkle.
- Fill the jar almost to the top with vegetable oil and let the mixture separate.
- Pour salt into the jar.
- Watch the cool effects as the salt sinks to the bottom.
- Add more salt to see it again. Remember to put on the lid. Try turning the jar upside-down.
How it works
The secret behind the lava lamp is science. Oil is lighter, or less dense, than water, so it rises to the the surface. Salt is heavier, or more dense, than water, and it falls to the bottom. When you add the salt, blobs of oil attach to the grains and sink. Then the salt dissolves, and the oil returns to the top.
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