Today we got to do a lab, in this lab we made oobleck and tried to figure out weather it was a solid or a liquid with tests. First we made a tee chart comparing characteristics of liquids and solids for example, liquids molecules change shape but not volume. Some characteristics of solids are that it doesn't change form and makes a noise when hit by other objects. We learned the liquid molecules have a lot of "energy" the molecules are moving in no particular why where as solids molecules are formed in patterns.
To make the oobleck we mixed 1 parts cornstarch and 1.75 parts water. Right after we mixed them together the liquid began to thicken into a paste like consistency. First we played with the substance it was very confusing and strange because it had traits of both a liquid and a solid. It would drip and change form like a liquid but if you punched it would not move. It seemed to switch between liquid and solid depending what you did to it. The first thing we tried was squeezing it we tried this because you can not squeeze a liquid in you're hand you could squeeze it like a solid but as soon as you let go it would turn into more of a liquid like substance. We also tried putting it in a flask to see if it would fill the space like a liquid and it did. Another thing we tried is throwing it onto the table to see if it would make a sound like a solid would it made a indistinct sound but closer to a solid.
After messing around with it for a little longer we came to the conclusion that for the most part it is a solid. Because it is hard like a solid and you can grab it and hold it like a solid. But I was also thinking that maybe this was a special substance that could somehow change its chemical structure based on what forces act upon it. I think this happens because the corn starch and the water have completely different structures that they react together. The corn starch is used for thinking and water is very pure. So its molecules can be easily manipulated between a solid and a liquid. But I am not sure about this idea.
To make the oobleck we mixed 1 parts cornstarch and 1.75 parts water. Right after we mixed them together the liquid began to thicken into a paste like consistency. First we played with the substance it was very confusing and strange because it had traits of both a liquid and a solid. It would drip and change form like a liquid but if you punched it would not move. It seemed to switch between liquid and solid depending what you did to it. The first thing we tried was squeezing it we tried this because you can not squeeze a liquid in you're hand you could squeeze it like a solid but as soon as you let go it would turn into more of a liquid like substance. We also tried putting it in a flask to see if it would fill the space like a liquid and it did. Another thing we tried is throwing it onto the table to see if it would make a sound like a solid would it made a indistinct sound but closer to a solid.
After messing around with it for a little longer we came to the conclusion that for the most part it is a solid. Because it is hard like a solid and you can grab it and hold it like a solid. But I was also thinking that maybe this was a special substance that could somehow change its chemical structure based on what forces act upon it. I think this happens because the corn starch and the water have completely different structures that they react together. The corn starch is used for thinking and water is very pure. So its molecules can be easily manipulated between a solid and a liquid. But I am not sure about this idea.