Canada Day - Fireworks In A Jar

Today, in honor of Canada Day, we're making fireworks in a jar. This is a fun experiment dealing with density, and molecular behavior - but it's also pretty cool just to watch.

You need:

A clear jar or glass, filled almost to the top with water.

1 tablespoon of oil (such as vegetable oil).

Red, Yellow, and Blue food coloring.

A cup or small container.

A spoon, or something to stir with.

In the small cup, mix the oil with a few drops of food coloring (two or three drops of each color).

Stir them together a bit with the spoon. They won't mix, because the food coloring is water, not oil soluble, but stirring will break up the drops of color.

Pour the oil mixture on top of the water in the jar. It will sit on top for a few seconds, and then as the food coloring breaks through the oil, and mixes with the water, you will get some great streamers of color.

For a nice basic explanation of what is happening, check out www.education.com/activity/article/Chromatography_liquid_fireworks/?page=2.

Then, you might want to teach your kids the words to O Canada. Or, check out the Canada page at Dltk Kids (www.dltk-kids.com/Canada/about.htm), for more information, crafts, and activities to do with Canada Day.

It's great to be a homeschooler.