Do you remember the lava lamps that could be found in every living room in the 1970s and 1990s? Their fascinating mix of colors and rising bubbles delighted generations of people. But have you ever wondered how a lava lamp works? In this blog post, we’ll unravel the mystery behind this fascinating phenomenon and show you how to make your own lava lamp with simple materials. This experiment is also a great way to teach kids about science, or at least elicit a `wow‘ from them. Dive into the fascinating world of the lava lamp for an entertaining experiment that is both fun and teaches science.
A Look Behind The Lava Lamp
Before we dive into the practical side of things, let’s take a quick look at the science behind the lava lamp. 
Did you also used to sit in front of the lamp for hours watching the bubbles rise and fall, wondering how it worked? The large bubbles are created by a combination of water, oil and a special solution called lava. The lava solution consists of water, Alka-Seltzer tablets and food coloring. When the Alka-Seltzer tablets are dissolved in water, carbon dioxide gas is produced, which rises in the form of bubbles, carrying the colored lava with it. The combination of water and oil creates a layering that allows the bubbles to rise and sink again. This interaction of materials creates the fascinating effect that we can observe in a lava lamp.
Note: Alka- Seltzer tablets are available online or in pharmacies and health food stores.
The Experiment: Make Your Own Lava Lamp
Enough theory, now you can make your own fun experiment. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A test tube
- Water
- Vegetable oil
- Food coloring (choose your favorite color)
- Alka-Seltzer tablets
Proceed as follows:
- Fill the test tube about one-third full with water.
- Add a few drops of your desired food coloring. You can also mix different colors to create an even more fascinating effect.
- Now carefully pour vegetable oil into the test tube until it is almost completely filled.
- Watch the layering of the liquids in the test tube and how the color slowly spreads to the surface of the oil.
- Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into several small pieces and add them one at a time to the test tube.
- Watch the bubbles rise, carrying the color of the lava with them. The effect is similar to that of a real lava lamp and will amaze you.
Experiment further
You can experiment with your lava lamp by changing different factors. For example, try different amounts of water or oil and see how the effect changes. You can also mix different food dyes to discover new color combinations. Let your children create their own lava lamp and encourage them to ask questions and hypothesize. This experiment provides a great opportunity to encourage scientific thinking and curiosity in your children.
The lava lamp is a fascinating experiment that will not only be fun for you and your kids, but will also teach them the basics of science. By making your own lamp with test tubes, you can discover the mystery behind this fascinating phenomenon while sparking your kids‘ interest in science. Keep experimenting, asking questions, and exploring the fascinating world of the lava lamp. Have fun doing it!
If you want to experiment even further, you can find more simple experiments for kids here.
