Our first mini project option was to make a lava lamp. We started by doing a little bit of research. There are a few different stories as to how the first lava lamp was made, and there are LOTS of different ways to make one. Our lava lamps are made out of things that we brought in ourselves. After making a first draft, and getting it critiqued, our final plan looked like the first picture below.
For the glass piece on top, we used a bottle from Trader Joe's. It was originally french berry lemonade, which we drank in class to empty the bottle. For the bottom, which incases the lightbulb, we used a tomato can. Even though we washed it twice, it still smells just a little bit like tomato. We used plumbing glue to connect the two pieces. It needed to be an adhesive that wouldn't melt from the heat. Our teacher, Andrew, supplied the lightbulb and chord. We used the same glue to attach the light fixture to the bottom of the can. | Making Lava FlowThe next step was to create the mixture inside of the glass container. We colored benzyl alcohol using a sharpie, because to color the alcohol it requires oil based coloring. Food coloring could only be used for the water mixture. After the alcohol was put in the container, we filled the lamp about one quarter with fresh water. we then added saltwater until the alcohol began to float. The alcohol is more dense than fresh water, and won't mix with it. But as you add salt water, the water becomes more dense than the alcohol, causing it to float. We then added fresh water a little bit at a time, until the alcohol just barely sank. We also put coiled wire on the bottom, for two reasons. One, so that the benzyl alcohol has something to hold on to on the bottom. Two, to break up the lava, so it isn't just one orb. Below is a video of the lava lamp plugged in. |
Unfortunately, thats about all the lamp did on its own. It would rise, and then sat there on a cushion of heat, keeping it from falling. The reason for it not moving around more is that there weren't any currents for it to follow. A way to cause a current would be to put heat in only one spot on the bottom. The lava would rise in that spot, and fall on another. Another would be the shape of store bought lava lamps, that come out and then in at the top. The outer sides would stay cool, causing the lava to flow up and then out. We wanted it to do more, so we shook the lamp to make currents. This made the lamp look like this, with small bubbles of lava floating around.
As you see at the top, we wrapped a wet paper towel around it. The large lava orb began floating to the top, but would take a while to cool down and sink. The point of the towel was to cool down the lava faster, to get more flow. This worked a little bit, but again, the lava was a ball floating up and down. I would consider this a failed lava lamp. However, the experience was definitely something worth having. I'm glad that we got to learn about how to do this, and get an opportunity to learn about expansion. |
Reflecting
Looking Back: My experiment didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. While it did do what it was supposed to do, rise and fall as it heated, it didn't go fast, or continue in a current.
Looking Beyond: During the experiment, I wondered why we needed to use a sharpie instead of just food coloring to color the benzyl alcohol. I then investigated this, and learned that to color the alcohol, we needed something stronger than food coloring. We needed something oil based, otherwise the alcohol wouldn't change color.
Looking Inward: We got mixed results during this experiment. On one level, we did get the lava to rise and fall. However, the lava didn't do anything more than that, which was caused by a lack of currents in the lamp. I think that I performed well during the activity. I participated in every aspect, and made sure that my partners did as well. I helped gather materials, and then helped to solve problems do to a can that was too small. To solve this, we glued another smaller can to the bottom.
Looking Outward: I worked with Isabel and Lupe, two students in the class who are hard workers. This is why we performed so well, staying on schedule and working cohesively. If doing another activity, I would choose to work with them again.
Looking Forward: If I could do this project again, I would try to find a container that had more of a lava lamp shape, in order to get a current for the lava to flow in. For the next activity, I am planning to work on my own, because my next project is an individual activity. If I wanted to continue this activity, I could try out different substances that were hydrophobic, or didn't mix with water. Perhaps a different substance, such as coconut oil, or some sort of wax.
Take Aways: After this project, I gained more knowledge of density and buoyancy. I also gained skill in mixing substances, and using tools in the classroom. I am excited to practice these during my next project.
Looking Beyond: During the experiment, I wondered why we needed to use a sharpie instead of just food coloring to color the benzyl alcohol. I then investigated this, and learned that to color the alcohol, we needed something stronger than food coloring. We needed something oil based, otherwise the alcohol wouldn't change color.
Looking Inward: We got mixed results during this experiment. On one level, we did get the lava to rise and fall. However, the lava didn't do anything more than that, which was caused by a lack of currents in the lamp. I think that I performed well during the activity. I participated in every aspect, and made sure that my partners did as well. I helped gather materials, and then helped to solve problems do to a can that was too small. To solve this, we glued another smaller can to the bottom.
Looking Outward: I worked with Isabel and Lupe, two students in the class who are hard workers. This is why we performed so well, staying on schedule and working cohesively. If doing another activity, I would choose to work with them again.
Looking Forward: If I could do this project again, I would try to find a container that had more of a lava lamp shape, in order to get a current for the lava to flow in. For the next activity, I am planning to work on my own, because my next project is an individual activity. If I wanted to continue this activity, I could try out different substances that were hydrophobic, or didn't mix with water. Perhaps a different substance, such as coconut oil, or some sort of wax.
Take Aways: After this project, I gained more knowledge of density and buoyancy. I also gained skill in mixing substances, and using tools in the classroom. I am excited to practice these during my next project.