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National Chemistry Week - Experiments - In Suspense

The Aim:

to examine the characteristics of a cornstarch suspension

What you will need:

  • 75 mL (5 tablespoons) of cornstarch
  • 45 mL (3 tablespoons) of water
  • food colouring (optional)
  • popsicle stick for stirring
  • shallow bowl or pie plate

What to do:

  1. Put the cornstarch in a bowl or pie plate.

  2. Add water and stir this mixture. It may be a little difficult to stir.

  3. If you wish, add a very small amount of food colouring to colour the material.

  4. Encourage the children to squeeze the mixture first and then tell them to release the pressure and ask them to make their observations.

[IMAGE OF HAND HOLDING THE MIXTURE]

When the mixture is pressed it feels like a solid because its molecules line up. When squeezing is stopped the molecules can relax and the material flows. This mixture has the characteristics of both a solid and a liquid. It is called a suspension.

For an explanation and demonstration of molecules see Atoms and Molecules.

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