Scientwists - A Magical Way to Discover the World of Science

This is a great, gooey creation which simulates the sinking effect of quicksand.

Materials: 1 cup cornstarch
1 cup water
coffee grounds

Directions:

1. Cover the work surface with newspaper (this experiment could get messy).

2. Mix the cornstarch and water in the small bowl.

**You may need to work with the consistency of the mixture. If mixture seems dry add small amounts of water. If mixture if too runny, add small amounts of cornstarch. The consistency should be solid if you hit the surface with the spoon, but more like a liquid when the spoon is gently placed on the surface.

3. Add the coffee grounds on top of the cornstarch/water mixture.

4. Have students feel the quicksand. Tell them to first use one or two fingers to quickly “punch” the surface of the quicksand (hitting the surface quickly and then pulling fingers back right away). The quicksand should feel like a solid.

5. Now tell students to gently place one or two fingers on the surface of the quicksand. This time they will leave their fingers on the surface without exerting a force. Their fingers should slowly sink into the quicksand.

Explanation:

This experiment is similar to ooblek. Ooblek will sometimes appear as both a solid as well as a liquid. If you are working with ooblek in your hands and you keep it moving, it will keep the shape of a solid ball. It is the same with the quicksand that is “punched” quickly. The molecules are bound together tightly. Once you stop moving ooblek, it liquefies and runs through your fingers. This is the same when you gently place your fingers on the quicksand; it appears like a liquid.

	A Magical Way to Discover the World of Science
Experiments Ancient Quicksand Penny Cleaning Magic Sand Keep Me Dry Underwater Slimy Gak Games Thar She Blows Speedy Dollar Potato Rocket Launchers Homemade Lava Lamps Invisible Ink Multimedia Coming Soon About Scientwists Contact Us		Ancient Quicksand Ia solid or is it a liquid? This is a great, gooey creation which simulates the sinking effect of quicksand. Materials: 1 cup cornstarch 1 cup water coffee grounds Directions: 1. Cover the work surface with newspaper (this experiment could get messy). 2. Mix the cornstarch and water in the small bowl. **You may need to work with the consistency of the mixture. If mixture seems dry add small amounts of water. If mixture if too runny, add small amounts of cornstarch. The consistency should be solid if you hit the surface with the spoon, but more like a liquid when the spoon is gently placed on the surface. 3. Add the coffee grounds on top of the cornstarch/water mixture. 4. Have students feel the quicksand. Tell them to first use one or two fingers to quickly “punch” the surface of the quicksand (hitting the surface quickly and then pulling fingers back right away). The quicksand should feel like a solid. 5. Now tell students to gently place one or two fingers on the surface of the quicksand. This time they will leave their fingers on the surface without exerting a force. Their fingers should slowly sink into the quicksand. Explanation: This experiment is similar to ooblek. Ooblek will sometimes appear as both a solid as well as a liquid. If you are working with ooblek in your hands and you keep it moving, it will keep the shape of a solid ball. It is the same with the quicksand that is “punched” quickly. The molecules are bound together tightly. Once you stop moving ooblek, it liquefies and runs through your fingers. This is the same when you gently place your fingers on the quicksand; it appears like a liquid.