The Chemistry of Oobleck

Introduction

Oobleck is really interesting. It is a liquid that is also a solid. I chose this as my … because a liquid that at the same time is a solid, how does it not sound cool. Oobleck allows me, and other people, to experience a non-newtonian fluid.Composition of ...With only two ingredients in oobleck, all we need to know is the chemical equations of them. The chemical equation of water is H2O, and for cornstarch it is C27H48O20Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components

There is only two main components in oobleck, water and cornstarch. Water is the first component in oobleck. Water is a liquid that everybody on Earth drink, and water is the liquid part of oobleck. It can be found pretty much everywhere. Cornstarch is the second component in oobleck. Cornstarch is starch that is derived from corn grain or wheat. The starch is obtained from the endosperm of the kernel. This is the component that turns the water into oobleck. You can find cornstarch in any grocery store.

Chemistry's Role

Water is made by combining two hydrogen atoms with one oxygen atom, this makes one water atom. Cornstarch is obtained from the endosperm of the kernel from cornmeal, or wheat. If you combine 27 carbon atoms, 48 Hydrogen atoms, and 20 oxygen atoms you get one cornstarch atom.

Oobleck is man-made. The chemistry that is involved when you make oobleck is when you mix the water with the cornstarch, it is kind of turned into a quicksand. When you slowly dip your hand in oobleck, it will sink. If you apply any kind of fast pressure to it, (slapping it, for example), the cornstarch packs together and turns into a solid.

Background Research

There is really only two components in oobleck, water and cornstarch.

The main chemical reaction that is involved is when you hit oobleck. The substance turns from a liquid into a solid.

Oobleck is a non-newtonian fluid. A non-newtonian fluid is a fluid way that does not follow Newton’s Law of Viscosity.

Resources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-Newtonian_fluid#Oobleck

This site describes that oobleck is a non-newtonian fluid, and says what a non-newtonian fluid is.

http://www.oobleq.com/history.html

This site tells you the history of oobleck.

http://imaginationstationtoledo.org/educator/activities/oobleck

This site tells you the instructions on how to make oobleck.

http://chemistry.about.com/od/letsmakeslime/fl/How-Oobleck-Works.htm

This site tells the chemistry of oobleck, and also tells you how to walk on it.

About the Author

Zach Rogers is a junior at Billings Senior High School. Chemistry is a really interesting subject to him, and he actually enjoys it. Even if he isn’t that good in it.