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Re: Recipe For "Funny" Liquid



It's the opposite of thixatropic!?

bc



Greg Darakjian wrote:

The funny liquid is also referred to as a non-Newtonian fluid. It is a
mixture of cornstarch and water that changes state depending on outside
pressures. This mixture is long chains of molecules that wrap around each
other thereby stopping the easy flow of the molecules under stress. Release
the stress, the mixture will flow.

It is prepared by mixing 1.5 parts cornstarch with one part water in a pie
pan. Keep adding cornstarch gradually until the mixture has the consistency
of thick heavy cream. The mixture will stir like a liquid, but can be hit
with a large spoon or a mallet without splattering. You can hit it with your
hand , roll it into a ball, break it into pieces and place the pieces on
waxed paper and they will flow into one blob.
Students enjoy making and playing with the stuff as we lead into discussing
the characteristics of states of matter.

One word of caution:
DO NOT FLUSH THE STARCH MIXTURE DOWN THE DRAIN. IT CLOGS THE PLUMBING.

Dr. Greg Darakjian
Science Department Chair
Anaheim High School
811 West Lincoln Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 999-3717