Wordless Wednesday 2/26/14

Theory Thursaday: Separating Colors

This is a super simple experiment to teach color combinations. The set-up is easy, but the results are pretty impressive. 

 You'll need a glass with an inch of water, a strip of paper towel, and a green marker. A ruler is optional.

Measure or estimate 2 inches on the paper towel strip.

Color a big blob on the paper towel (at the 2 inch mark) with the green marker.

 Stick just the bottom of the paper towel into the water in the glass for 20 minutes.

This is what ours looked like after the 20-minute mark. Not quite was it was supposed to. We left it sit overnight.

Much better! As the water rises up the paper towel, it dissolves the green spot and gradually moves the color up the strip of paper.  Since the colors that make up green - blue and yellow - do not move at the same rate, they separate, leaving a blue mark where the green was and yellow above that.

We discussed what would happen if we used different colors of markers. It was good secondary color review for Jake and Alyssa. They thought it was so cool to see the change. Jake had guessed that the green was going to spread all across the paper towel. He was right in that the color did spread. Pretty smart kid. He must have a good teacher. {wink}

* This experiment is similar to the leaf chromatography we did. This one was a bit more exciting to the kids though since it was a bit more dramatic. And not as stinky.

Wordless Wednesday 10/12/11

Theory Thursday: Color Concoctions

Two scientists insisted that they needed to conduct a series of experiments. They transformed my kitchen into a laboratory.

They gathered their test tubes and secret ingredients . . .

 . . . and the experimenting began.

These scientists were extremely careful in their selections, making sure not to cause any adverse reactions.

Scientist Jacob discovered that when he poured the red mixture into the blue, a new purple potion was created.

They also learned that mixing blue and yellow resulted in a green blend.

And adding the green liquid made the solution . . . remain green.

The experiments required complete concentration. This research was of the utmost importance.



And what were they making with all these solutions???

Why, popsicles, of course!

We used Sun Drop (green), Red Pop (red), Juicy Juice orange-tangerine (yellow), ice blue-raspberry Kool-Aid (blue), Crystal Lite orange sunrise (orange), and  Emergen-C Blue (purple). If the colors were not quite the shade I wanted them to be, I added a drop or two of food coloring.

My little scientists had so much fun pouring the contents of the different test tubes into their beakers and watching the colors mix and blend into new shades. 

They especially liked eating their experiments. All in the name of research, you know.

They learned about color combinations and even cooled off a little from the high temps outside.

The experiments were a success! But think what they could do with more resources. Does anyone want to sponsor their evolving research? All donations are non-tax-deductible and can be made payable to Raising Leafs. All proceeds will be used to further their experimentation.

I wonder what concoctions they'll create next. Strawberry-Pepsi-mocha? Or grape-green tea-orange juice?? Or chocolate milk-lemonade-root beer???  

Or maybe I'll leave the mixing to the scientists and stick with taking the pictures.  

Theory Thursday: Leaf Chromatography

I thought it would be neat to see what colors the leaves of our trees will be changing to in a few weeks. The colors or pigments are already present, but are hidden by the chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis. It begins to break down though during the fall. We used chromatography, the separation of mixtures, to speed up the process.

We collected 2-3 large leaves from several different trees, making a pit stop 
at the garden to snack on cherry tomatoes. We used leaves from an unknown tree, 
and birch, cottonwood, lilac, and maple trees.

Cut the leaves into several small pieces and place them in a jar.

 Add enough rubbing alcohol to each jar to cover the leaves. Jake hated the smell!

Using a plastic knife or spoon, carefully chop and grind the leaves in the alcohol.

Cover the jars very loosely with lids or plastic wrap or aluminum foil. 

Place the jars carefully into a shallow tray containing 1 inch of hot tap water.

Keep the jars in the water for at least a half-hour, until the alcohol has become colored (the darker the better). Twirl each jar gently about every five minutes. Replace the hot water if it cools off.

 Remove jars from water and uncover. Place a strip of paper towel into each jar 

so that one end is in the alcohol. Bend the other end over the top of the jar.

The alcohol will travel up the paper, bringing the colors with it. After 30-90 minutes, 

the colors will travel different distances up the paper as the alcohol evaporates. 

 Remove the strips of paper, let them dry. You should be able to see different shades of green, possibly some yellow, orange or red, depending on the type of leaf.

Our strips were mostly green surrounded by a bit of yellow. The kids were completely unimpressed. I must admit, so was I. I was hoping to see some red and orange. Maybe we'll just have boring trees this fall. Only time will tell.


* UPDATE * 
 Yep, we just have boring trees in our yard. {pout} We'll just have to try it again with pretty trees.