Fireworks in a Jar

While trolling Pinterest in May, I discovered this project at I Can Teach my Child blog.  I stuck it on our Summer Bucket List.  The kids love little science experiments.  I saved this for a hot weather time...and boy is that on us!

You need a clear glass or plastic jar filled with warm water, Veggie oil, food coloring (and not the gel), and a container to mix the oil and food coloring in.

The kids dropped the food coloring in the oil.  We had about 15 drops.  When they have done this, use a fork to stir this mixture and break the dots of food coloring apart.

 You can see the dots of food coloring are getting smaller.

 Dump it into your water.

 And watch in awe.....The first time it didn't work so well.  We didn't break up all the dots of food coloring well.

 The second time we reduced the amount of oil we used and stirred well.  You can see the small strings of food coloring.  As the food coloring mixes with water and separates from the oil, there is a small "explosion"...looks very cool.

 Sorry it was hard to get pictures.

The Science Behind It:

Food coloring dissolves in water but not in oil.   Because the oil is less dense than the water, it will float at the top.  The colored droplets will begin to sink because they are heavier than the oil.  Once they sink into the water, they will begin dissolving into the water (which looks like a tiny explosion).