Oobleck is a fascinating non-Newtonian fluid that can behave like both a solid and a liquid depending on the force applied to it. This mixture is commonly made using cornstarch and water, but did you know that you can make Oobleck without cornstarch?
What is Oobleck?
Oobleck is a substance made of water and cornstarch. It’s a fun way to learn about science and create your own experiments!
The name “oobleck” comes from the Dr. Seuss book Bartholomew and the Oobleck, where it turns into a sticky mess when it’s dropped. When you mix cornstarch with water, it becomes dense enough to be solidified by pressure (like squeezing it). If you squeeze it enough, though, it turns back into liquid again.
how to make Oobleck without cornstarch
Ingredients Needed:
- 2 cups of baking soda
- 1 cup of water
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add two cups of baking soda.
Step 2: Slowly add one cup of water to the baking soda while stirring continuously. It is essential to add water gradually to prevent lumps from forming.
Step 3: Once you have added all the water, you should have a thick and goopy mixture. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Add food coloring if you would like to give your Oobleck some color. You can add as much or as little food coloring as you want, depending on how vibrant the colors are.
Step 5: Mix the food coloring into the Oobleck until it is evenly distributed.
how to make Oobleck without cornstarch or tapioca powder
Ingredients Needed:
- 1 cup of flour
- 1/2 cup of water
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add one cup of flour.
Step 2: Slowly add half a cup of water to the flour while stirring continuously. It is essential to add water gradually to prevent lumps from forming.
Step 3: Once you have added all the water, you should have a thick and goopy mixture. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Add food coloring if you would like to give your Oobleck some color. You can add as much or as little food coloring as you want, depending on how vibrant you want the colors to be.
Step 5: Mix the food coloring into the Oobleck until it is evenly distributed.
how to make Oobleck without cornstarch or arrowroot flour
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Water
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by measuring 1 cup of all-purpose flour and placing it in a mixing bowl.
- Slowly add water to the flour, stirring as you go. The amount of water you need will depend on the consistency you want for your Oobleck, but a good rule of thumb is to use twice as much water as flour. So, for 1 cup of flour, you would use 2 cups of water.
- As you add the water, keep stirring the mixture until it becomes a smooth paste. You may need to slightly adjust the amount of water or flour to get the right consistency. When you pick it up, you want the mixture to be thick enough to hold its shape but not so thick that it won’t flow.
- If you want to add color to your Oobleck, now is the time to do it. Add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture and stir until the color is evenly distributed.
- Once you have the desired consistency and color, you can start playing with your Oobleck. Try squeezing, molding, or even punching it to see how it reacts. You will notice that it behaves like a solid when you apply force but flows like a liquid when you stop.
How to make Oobleck without food coloring?
Here are the items you will need:
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
Instructions:
- Start by measuring out your cornstarch. You will need 1 cup of cornstarch for every ½ cup of water. Depending on how much Oobleck you want to make, you can adjust the quantities accordingly.
- Add the cornstarch to your mixing bowl.
- Slowly add the water to the mixing bowl, stirring constantly. You want to add the water slowly to avoid adding too much at once, which can make the mixture difficult to stir.
- Keep stirring the mixture until it starts to come together. You may need to use your hands at this point to knead the mixture and get it to come together.
- If the mixture is too dry, add a little more water. If it is too wet, add a little more cornstarch. The goal is to get a consistency that is neither too runny nor too stiff.
- Once you have achieved the desired consistency, you can play with your Oobleck. You can roll it into a ball, press it into a mold, or even walk on it. Just remember that if you apply too much force, it will behave like a solid, and if you apply less pressure, it will behave like a liquid.
Tips for Making Oobleck
- It’s best to use a large mixing bowl, as the mixture can become messy.
- Mix the water and baking soda slowly to prevent lumps from forming.
- If your Oobleck is too runny, add more baking soda to thicken it up.
- If your Oobleck is too thick, add more water to thin it out.
- Store your Oobleck in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.
- Be careful when disposing of Oobleck, as it can clog drains.
What makes Oobleck a solid and a liquid?
Oobleck is a solid and a liquid because it is made of cornstarch, water, and food coloring. The cornstarch makes it a solid when it’s dry, but when you add water to Oobleck, it turns into a liquid.
Conclusion
That’s it! You’ve just made Oobleck. It is a non-Newtonian fluid and your body acts as a force on the substance. Depending on how hard you press down on it, the Oobleck has different properties. It will either be thick like slime or slimy or runny and watery – much like water itself!
