Simple Science Projects to Do at Home
On a rainy afternoon, at-home science projects can be a fun and educational way to pass the time. Adults and kids alike may get a kick out of watching the principles of science in action using nothing more than ordinary household items. If you are looking for a few interesting science projects to conduct at home, look no further than your kitchen cabinets for inspiration.
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Layered Liquids
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Layered liquids is a fun household science project that helps demonstrate the density of various liquids. Begin with equal amounts of dark corn syrup or honey; dish washing detergent; water dyed with food coloring; vegetable oil; and rubbing alcohol dyed with a different color food coloring than the water. Pour enough corn syrup into a glass to fill it approximately one-sixth of the way. Tilt the glass and pour the same amount of dish washing detergent down the side of the glass. Note whether the detergent falls to the bottom of the glass or floats on top of the corn syrup. Tilt the glass again and slowly pour the colored water down the side of the glass. Follow with the vegetable oil and colored rubbing alcohol. Observe the liquids as they are arranged in the glass. You will notice that the liquids that are less dense will float on top of those with a greater density. Examine the relationship between the thickness, or viscosity, of each liquid and its density. Thicker liquids like corn syrup and dish washing detergent have a greater density than the water, oil and rubbing alcohol and will sink to the bottom of the glass.
Floating Egg
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For another household science project that examines the density of certain objects, try the floating egg experiment. Begin by filling two bowls with warm water. Stir several tablespoons of salt into one of the bowls until it dissolves. Next, carefully set an egg in each bowl. Note which egg floats and which one sinks. The egg in the salt water will float because salt water has a greater density than plain water. As a result, the egg is less dense than the water it is in and floats. The egg in plain water has a greater density than the water, so it sinks to the bottom of the bowl.
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Growing Crystals
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Many kids -- and adults too -- will find growing their own crystals at home a fun and interesting science project. It can be done with some Epsom salt and sunlight. Begin by cutting a circle of black paper to fit in the bottom of a cake or pie pan. Mix a tablespoon of Epsom salt with a quarter cup of water and slowly pour the mixture onto the black circle. Leave the pan in the sun for several hours. As the water evaporates, the salt will form long, needle-like crystals on the paper. It may be fun to look at some of the crystals under a microscope to see them in greater detail.
Rising Coin
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For a household science project that allows you to bend light, try the rising coin. Place a small piece of putty adhesive in the center of a coin. Secure the coin to the center of a plastic bowl and add some water. Next, move away from the bowl until you can no longer see the coin. Continue to slowly add water to the bowl until the coin appears again. Add a bit more water to the bowl so more of the coin appears. The coin gradually appears before your eyes because light bends as it passes through water. When there is no water in the bowl, its edge blocks the coin from view. However, when water is added, light bends over the bowl's edge so the coin becomes visible again.
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References
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