What is the big deal about oil and water anyway? Typically oil and water always separate. With this this project you will learn why they separate! Follow the link below to learn more about the chemistry of oil and water, and create a fun chemical reaction!

• 1/2 cup of water
• Food Coloring
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable or baby oil
• Effervescent antacid tablet
• Highlighter (optional)
• Black Light (optional)
• Paper Towel (optional)

1. Gather your materials

2. Pour the ½ cup of water into a Ziploc® brand sandwich bag (avoid filling the bag beyond half its size). Add two to three drops of food coloring and mix together.

3. Pour 1½ cups of oil into the bag (avoid filling the bag beyond half its size) and firmly seal the bag. 

Observe what happens to the oil and the water. 

Which substance floats to the top?

4. Break one antacid tablet into pieces (only use one tablet at a time). Drop the pieces into the bag. As the antacid dissolves, the sodium bicarbonate and citric acid react together, creating carbon dioxide gas bubbles. 

You made a bubble lamp! As the bubbles rise, they give a temporary lift to the water.

 As the bubbles burst at the surface, the water falls back down.

5. To create a glowing bubble lamp, make fluorescent water with a highlighter. Use the highlighter (yellow or green work best) to color a paper towel sheet until it’s completely covered

6. Soak the colored sheet in a ½ cup of water for 15 seconds, until all the color has been absorbed by the water and the towel is almost inkless.

7. Remove and wring out the paper towel to get as much of the ink into the water as you can.

8. Now repeat Steps 2-4 with the highlighter water in place of the food coloring water. For a glowing effect, add the antacid tablet pieces to the bubble lamp in a dark room. Point the black light at the bag and watch the glowing bubble lamp in action!

https://ziploc.com/en/Inspiration/Stem-Activities/Ages-9-12/Bubble-Lamp-in-a-Bag