Experiments With Permanent Markers
If you have a school science fair coming up and you're looking for some simple chemistry science projects to create, try experimenting with permanent markers. You can use permanent markers to create fun tie-dye projects, experiment with different cleaning solvents to see just how permanent those permanent markers really are or even revive a dried up marker. Like with any science experiments, safety comes first; make sure you've got rubber gloves and goggles when working with chemicals.
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Tie-Dye
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You can use multicolored permanent markers to tie-dye shirts. All you need is 70 percent solution rubbing alcohol, an eye dropper, a plastic cup, a rubber band and a variety of permanent markers. Stretch a portion of the shirt over the mouth of the cup and secure it with a rubber band. Use the markers to make dots in a quarter-sized circle around the center of the cup. Use the eye dropper to slowly squeeze about 20 drops of alcohol into the center of the circle and watch as the colors bleed through the fabric. When you're done dyeing the fabric, toss the shirt in the dryer for 10 minutes to set the colors.
Revive Permanent Markers
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This experiment will teach students how permanent markers work. When a marker dries out, it's actually still usable. If you open the casing, you'll see that the wick---the plastic-covered fabric tube inside---still has its color. This is because the ink is still there, but the solvent that allows the ink to be transferred from the wick has evaporated. All you need is a dried out permanent marker, hypodermic needle and some nail polish remover. Fill the needle with nail polish remover. Insert the needle about 1 inch into the wick and inject the nail polish remover. Put the marker back together and secure the cap. Stand the marker on end, cap down, and let it sit for about a day. The marker should be able to write again. If not, you may need to inject more nail polish remover.
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Removing Permanent Marker Stains
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The point of this experiment is to determine which solvents will successfully remove permanent marker stains. You will need permanent markers, wood, plastic, cotton fabric, a bit of carpet, rubbing alcohol, bleach, water, nail polish remover, toothpaste, dish soap, rubber gloves and a scrub brush. Mark the carpet, wood, plastic and cotton fabric in six separate spots with the permanent markers. Put on the rubber gloves and pour a small amount of each cleaning solvent on each mark. Use the scrub brush to scrub each stain, making sure to rinse it very well each time. Record your results. Which solvent, if any, worked the best? Did any of the solvents damage the stained material?
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References
- Photo Credit marker image by Rich Johnson from Fotolia.com
