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Making a lava lamp for decorating home

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Abstract

The secret of how lava lamps function lays on the density and polarity of the substances, particularly the effect of the lava in the lamp is caused because inside there is wax, which changes shape and is agitated with the heat emitted by the lamp bulb. This effect is due to the fact that the wax has a higher density than the water; however, the wax loses the density with the heat becoming lighter. The agitation of the wax in the container is what generates the lava effect.

With this activity learners will not only learn about making a lava lamp, but they will also understand the scientific logic behind the functioning of the lava lamp.

This activity can be developed individually by learners or as a group activity, and its objective is to demonstrate the learners the scientific explanation behind lava lamps and how to make one.

Learning Outcomes

The learners will learn about science and scientific experiments and, concretely, about how to create a lava lamp while they understand how it functions.

  • Extend scientific skills by understanding how the lava lamp functions.
  • How to organize group-work.
  • How to make a lava lamp.
  • Develop scientific skills.
  • Develop creativity.
  • Manage time and resources (for achieving objectives)
  • Improve social skills such as leadership, organizational conscience and communication (when the challenge is solved in group)
  • Improve team work skills (when the challenge is solved in group)

Other Instructions

  1. The bottle should be thoroughly washed with plenty of water.
  2. Once the container is washed, fill it with water, oil and dye. One third of the bottle should be filled with oil, the rest with water and then add the liquid dye (about 10 drops). Wait before adding the liquid dye for the water and oil to stabilize.
  3. You will need to add the effervescent tablet to the container. When they come into contact with the water they will start to create a lot of bubbles and go up to where the oil is. As the bubbles cannot pass through the oil layer, they will come back down, which causes them to be in continuous motion.
  4. Place a flashlight under the container.
  5. When the bubbles’ effect finishes you can add more tablets.

URL

RESOURCES

Author

Asociación Moviéndote
Asociación Moviéndote

Language

English

Main Topics

Science

Keywords

decoration density lava lamp wax