UNSCHOOLING PHYSICS WITH MY SON: experiments with handmade non-Newtonian fluid

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Friends, we continue our exploring of the world and physics processes with my son:)
He is eager to make different experiments so we combine fun and studying.

We have made non-Newtonian fluid this time.

A non-Newtonian fluid is a fluid that does not follow Newton's law of viscosity, i.e., constant viscosity independent of stress. In non-Newtonian fluids, viscosity can change when under force to either more liquid or more solid. Ketchup, for example, becomes runnier when shaken and is thus a non-Newtonian fluid

We took:

Water
Starch
1:1 proportion
And some dye to make it brighter

Fluid has the properties both of the solid item and fluid.

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When we just touch it slightly, it's fluid, but when we make some tension - it becomes solid!

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Of course, it's easy to explain if you understand reaction of starch with water, but for a boy of 5 it's magic, and he is involved in the process completely!

I thought the experiment would last 10-15 min, but it lasted more than 1 hour!
And not only for him;)) Me and my hubby also were in love with this magic fluid and we played together:)

Moreover, I must admit it's great relaxation practice!

Then we started to develop the experiment more - we began to draw with this fluid!

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And the pictures were fantastically abstract.
Modernism in action;)

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I called this masterpiece "Universe power":)

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And my son started to create different installations on the table:)

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He built volcanoes, dirty roads for off-road cars, his fantasy is my joy:)

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Then we cleaned the table long after it;))

but it was SO great fun that it was worth of it anyway.

Studying CAN and MUST be JOY for kids



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10 comments
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Fun times but what a mess! Still, it is the best way to learn things.

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hahaha yeaahh, we all were like pigs, and it's not so easy to clean the table after the starch:))
BUT yes - it's the best way to discover and understand things, moreover, mess fun is still fun!;)
In Russia we say: "Tanks are not afraid of mess":)

thanks for attention and commenting!

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I know this experiment, but I didn't realise ketchup got thinner when you shook it. I'm still learning. 🤣

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yes, I'm not very good in physics so it was hard for me to understand but I tried:) in Youtube there are a lot of experiments where people even run over such fluid, when you're just standing, you'll go down, if you are running (tension is being caused), then it's solid. Looks great;)

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You have a heap of great content and your contributions have been awesome. I've been saving alot of your posts to do with my kids also.

Thank you for sharing such great content.

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wow! I'm so HAPPY to see it! It's my best award!Thank you;)

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Thank you for your engagement on this post, you have recieved ENGAGE tokens.

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