How To Make Lava Lamp Science Experiment:

1. Gather your materials: an empty cup or bottle, vegetable or canola

oil, water, food coloring of your choice, and antacid tablets (like
Alka-Seltzer).
2. Fill the cup or bottle about ¾ with oil.
3. Add water to the cup of bottle until there is only about 2 inches of
room left.
4. Add 4-5 drops of food coloring of your choice to the cup or bottle.
5. Lightly stir liquids in the cup or bottle so that the water and food
coloring mix.
6. Finally, drop an antacid tablet into the cup or bottle.
7. Observe or watch what happens next.
8. After the tablet is completely dissolved, and the bubbles calmed
down, you may add another antacid tablet to the cup or bottles for a
repeated effect.

How The Lava Lamp Science Experiment Works: Key

As you mixed the water and oil together, you may have noticed that the Water
water sinks below the oil. Oil and water just do not mix because the oil is
hydrophobic. The oil floats on the surface because the water is heavier Oil
(has a higher density) than oil. When you drop in the antacid tablet, it
sinks to the bottom and creates a reaction. The antacid reacts with the Gas or Air & Air
Bubbles
water making it dissolve releasing gas or air called carbon dioxide. As the
gas rises to the top it takes some of the colored water with it. As the gas
Antacid Tablets
bubble breaks on the surface, the colored water sinks back to the bottom.