Lava Lamp

(A science experiment)

Samanvitha Padmannagari, Grade 4B

Orchids, Panathur
Lava Lamp Edward Craven Walker
Hypothesis
What we need?

Water

Vegetable oil

Liquid food colouring

A Container

Baking soda or ENO

Procedure

 Fill the container with half cup of vegetable oil

 Add few drops of food colouring
 Add some water
 Add baking soda or ENO powder

Voila!! Watch the magic of the lava lamp erupt into activity.
How it works?
A Lava Lamp works because of 2 different scientific principles.

Density - The oil floats on top of the water because it is less dense or lighter than water. The liquid
food colouring has the same density as the water so it sinks through the oil and mixes with water.
Polarity - Water is polar (which means it is attracted to other polar substances) whereas Oil is non-
polar. Hence, their molecules are not attracted to each other. This prevents water and oil from getting
mixed.
- When we add baking soda it sinks to the bottom and starts to dissolve. As it dissolves it makes a gas
called carbon dioxide.
- Gas or air, is lighter than water so it floats to the top. The air bubbles bring some coloured water to
the top, the water gets heavy again and sinks. It does this over and over again until baking soda is
completely dissolved.
 • Gift your friends
How it can be used?

Understand the concepts Density and Polarity • Use it as a show

piece in your bed
room

Density indicates how much of a matter an object has to its

volume. Density of a substance can be used to define the
substance.
Thank you!