GRAND RAPIDS — The school year is underway again and many students are still virtual learning so its time to get creative again having the classroom at home. We are learning more science weather experiments! This weather experiment making fireworks learning about density plus all the impacts the weather can have on fireworks. Here's what you need to get started.
What you need:
- Water
- Oil
- Food coloring
- 2 clear glasses
- Fork
Step 1: Fill one glass almost to the top with room temperature water.
Step 2: Pour 2 tablespoons of oil into the other glass.
Step 3: Add a few drops of food coloring into the glass with oil and mix those together with your fork. Stop once you break up the food coloring into smaller drops.
Step 4: Pour the oil and food coloring mixture into the other glass with water.
Step 5: Sit back and watch the mini firework show!
We just created a mini fireworks show! The food coloring dissolves in water but the oil does not. When you pour that mixture into the water, the oil floats -- because it's less dense than the water and the food coloring -- then begins to dissolve and sink through the oil and into the water!
How can the weather affect our fireworks though? Check out these impacts below.
Fog/low clouds: Visibility and sound of fireworks can be impacted.
Dry conditions: Increase of fire danger risk.
Humidity: Too much – less vibrant colors / too little – more vibrant colors.
Rain/storms: Can still work in rain – severe storms impact safety.
Temperatures: Inversions trap smoke at the surface impacting visibilty and air quality.
Winds: Direction impacts travel of smoke – strong winds transports embers – calm winds keep smoke trapped.
