Baby Oil

[sophie_1003]

Need a quick answer so apologies for using CB; which is more soluble in water (if either are at all); baby oil or vegetable oil? Doing an activity at school tomorrow and would like the children to be able to easily see the water and oil separate. TIA

[annie0000]

I'd use vegetable oil, it will separate well and wont harm them if they happen to dip their paws in it and put them in their mouth.

[welshlibranr]

I'd use vegetable oil, I think it would be seen to float quicker, it's thicker, and because of the colour, will be more visible!..........

[gingejbee]

Both insoluble but veg oil will be easier to see separating as it's got some colour.

[DTCwordfan]

believe veg oil would be better

[annie0000]

It will be more noticeable if you put a couple of drops of food coloring in the water. I think if you add salt the globules sink to the bottom and then float to the top when the salt disperses into the water (but not absolutely sure if it is ordinary salt or some other special stuff, but might be worth a try - it's supposed to look like a home made lava lamp!!!

[sophie_1003]

Thanks all, got sunflower (no veg oil at shop) and olive oil, tried out both and they both work well but olive oil is easier to see so am going for that! Definitely adding food colouring and the salt idea sounds fab, will give it a try!

[annie0000]

Here's a link to how to make a lava lamp using alka seltzer:

http://www.sciencebob...eriments/lavalamp.php

[boxtops]

LOL annie, that rates really highly in the list of "things I didn't know I'd ever need to know"!

[sophie_1003]

Haha brilliant! Do you think it would work in a large water tray?

[annie0000]

is it see-through soph? - might be better in a bottle or even a couple of empty drinks bottles.

My boys are always making potions and stuff - they rob all the stuff out my cupboards, I never have any vinegar or baking powder (that makes piles of goo!) or food colouring and they managed to dye the walls in the hall blue! And then I find wee containers of stuff festering in their rooms lol. It great being a parent!!!!

[sophie_1003]

No, it's a ceramic sink instead of the traditional plastic water tray. I tried putting things out for them to make mixtures today but it all just got mixed together so have given up on that and am going for just oil in water with sieves, jugs and funnels!

[gingejbee]

annie; that's how I started, and became an analytical chemist!

[annie0000]

Give them a couple of empty clear plastic bottles in there as well and then can fill them up with the mixture from the sink and shake it around and watch is settle back into oil and water again. you might even be able to spin it around and get a mini tornado effect inside. How old are the kids?

[annie0000]

gingebee - well done, i'd have liked to work in science or medicine somewhere but had to leave school and get a job as my parents couldn't afford for me to stay at school and go to university. I've done well enough for myself but determined my boys have a chance to follow their dreams. They are definitely destined for something in that direction. They are both pretty clever, eldest is thinking about engineering or architecture and younger son changes his mind all the time, but his passion this week is writing and movies - 3 comics about ninjas and a film made of him and his friends having a nerf war done since Friday!

[sophie_1003]

School Nursery so 3-4 yrs, will definitley put the bottles in, think will do some demonstrating so they can see what they can try out.

[annie0000]

That's a great age Sophie, I am sure they will have a great time.

[annie0000]

Hi sophie - how did the session go? Did they have a fun time?

[sophie_1003]

It went a bit wrong, they had so much fun 'swooshing' the water the oil separated into tiny globules and made it look really disgusting! Was worth a try though!