Grow a Rainbow Paper Towel Experiment
This delightful and hands-on experiment showcases the capillary action of water and color mixing using simple materials, perfect for kids and adults.
Ingredients
Materials
- 1 roll Paper towels Can be cut into strips.
- 3 drops Food coloring (red, blue, yellow) Use different colors for blending.
- 1 cup Water Enough to cover the bottom of the dish (about 1/4 inch).
- 1 each Shallow dish or tray To hold the paper towels.
- Optional each Scissors For cutting paper towels into strips.
- Optional each Plastic pipette or dropper For adding food coloring to paper towels.
Instructions
Preparation
- Cut the paper towels into strips, about 1-2 inches wide. You can also create a circle or a zigzag pattern for different effects.
- Place the strips or folded paper towel vertically in the shallow dish, ensuring they touch the bottom but do not cross over each other.
Adding Water and Color
- Fill the dish with a small amount of water, just enough to cover the bottom (about 1/4 inch).
- Using a pipette or dropper, add a few drops of food coloring to one end of each paper towel strip. Try mixing colors for extra fun!
Observation
- Observe as the water travels up the paper towels, carrying the color with it, and enjoy watching the colors blend and create a rainbow effect.
Notes
Experiment with variations such as using natural dyes or different absorbent materials. Scale the project for larger strips or multiple colors. Discuss color theory and color blending physics with children.