Week 2: Non-Newtonian Fluid
We all love floating in the pool when it's summertime! When it comes to fluids, some items float, and some sink. But when it comes to non-Newtonian fluid, it's a little more special!
Non-Newtonian Fluid
Materials:
- Corn starch
- Water
- Large container
Directions:
- Pour cornstarch into the container of your choice.
- Slowly add in water. Mix the two and add more water until you have a thick, homogenous mixture.
- Play with the mixture! Try hitting it hard with your fist, or just slowly sink your hand into the mixture and observe what happens.
Why It Works:
The starch particles in the corn starch swell in the water and create a bond in the form of chaotically interlaced molecules. At a high shear rate of force, the tight bonds do not let the molecules move, and the mixture acts like a solid. At a low shear rate of force, the molecules spread out and the mixture acts like a liquid. The name “non-Newtonian” comes from the fact that this mixture does not obey the usual laws of physics.
This experiment and its scientific understanding were found on MEL Chemistry
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