National Primary Science week

Last week was National Primary Science week and we were all busy taking part in science experiments. These experiments included lava in a cup, M&M colours experiment and on Friday the rocket launcher. Mr McMillan and Mrs Ryan filled the rocket bottle with vinegar and the firing tube with baking soda.  Mixing vinegar and baking soda makes carbon dioxide gas. This then pumps the gas into the bottle filling it up. The gas has to escape and it forces all the liquid out of the bottom of the rocket.  This makes the rocket shoot up into the air. Blast off

All ready to go

Waiting and wondering what is going to happen?

Blast off! Watch out Mrs Ryan!

 Lava in a cup

What you need

A clear cup

¼ cup of vegetable oil

1 to 4 teaspoons of salt

Water

Food colouring if you want

What we did:

1. Fill the cup about ¾ cup full of water

2. Add about 5 drops of food colouring

3. Slowly pour the oil into the cup. See how the oil floats on top

4. Sprinkle the salt on top of the oil

5. Watch blobs of lava move up and down in your cup!

6. Add another teaspoon of salt to keep the effect going.

Why did it do this?

The oil floats on top of the water because it is lighter than the water.  The salt is heavier than oil,  so it sinks down into the water and takes some oil with it, but then the salt dissolves and the oil floats back up to the top. Have a go at doing this at home.