3rd Grader Science - vibrating ooblik, jello, slime and other stuff

[chad1376]

My third grader has an upcoming science project. He's chosen to examine the properties of ooblik and other liquidy materials when placed on a vibrating speaker. (I'm sure you all have seen the videos of the dancing non-Newtonian fluid).

We have a list of other materials we're going to vibrate and see what they do. So far, our list is:

Ooblik
Slime
Paint
Whipped cream
Jello (cubed)
Jello (using speaker cone as a mold)
Sand
BB's
Corn Syrup
Water

I have 8 of these laying around from an old project, just waiting to be abused or burned up:

http://www.parts-express.com/bravox-wfr-06bv-04b-6-1-2-poly-cone-shielded-sub--299-074

We're going to video each for his "report". I doubt we'll get very high quality slo-mo, but it something does something really interesting, I might post back just for kicks.

So, here's you're chance to offer suggestions of other goo to vibrate. It needs to be cheap and non-hazardous (no mercury, etc.)

[MGrant1957]

Re: 3rd Grader Science - vibrating ooblik, jello, slime and other stuff

You forgot the water+cornstarch mix.

[chad1376]

Re: 3rd Grader Science - vibrating ooblik, jello, slime and other stuff

You forgot the water+cornstarch mix.

That's "ooblek" - top of the list

I'm wondering if I can get a standing wave in plaster of Paris, and let it harden. Will the wave remain? Probably not, but we might try it.

[weinstro]

Re: 3rd Grader Science - vibrating ooblik, jello, slime and other stuff

Fluid for viscous LSD's. ATF might work, too, but probably not as well.

[thekorvers]

Re: 3rd Grader Science - vibrating ooblik, jello, slime and other stuff

I have 8 of these laying around from an old project, just waiting to be abused or burned up:

http://www.parts-express.com/bravox-wfr-06bv-04b-6-1-2-poly-cone-shielded-sub--299-074

Those are very nice drivers. I like your science project, but hate to see them get ruined. This is a nice design by our late beloved Lou:

http://www.rob-elder.com/LouC/speakers/Buyout/BravoxTower.html

[tyger23]

Re: 3rd Grader Science - vibrating ooblik, jello, slime and other stuff

You might wish to check this out:

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?242185-Semi-OT-A-DIY-Chaldni-Plate&highlight=chaldni+plate

[chad1376]

Re: 3rd Grader Science - vibrating ooblik, jello, slime and other stuff

I feel a little bad using the speakers, but honestly, they've been taking up my limited garage space for several years, and I'm in the process of clearing out junk I don't really need. They're far from NIB, and have broken bits of frame plastic and lots of "shelf wear". I've started to develop a real speaker project several times to re-purpose them, but always end up finding different drivers that suit my need better.

The Chaldni plate looks really cool. I think the hardest part would be having my kid understand and explain what is going on, without it looking like I did everything. With the goo experiment, it should pretty easy to lead him to understand some concepts fluid viscosity and unit density on his own. I think this would be an awesome experiment when he's a little older.

[biscuitbarrell]

Re: 3rd Grader Science - vibrating ooblik, jello, slime and other stuff

A layer of plastic wrap will protect the cones without affecting anything. No biggie!

[chad1376]

Re: 3rd Grader Science - vibrating ooblik, jello, slime and other stuff

OK - experiment complete. Only two speakers were lost in the cause. We tried the following materials at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 60 hz:

Water - As you'd expect, splashed a lot.

Chicken Feed - Bounced around in the cone, not too exciting.

Flour - Made a cool cloud of dust over the cone at 60 hz.

Slurpee - Kind of liquified at 60 hz

Slime - dollar store slime is very stiff. It only bounced around.

Whipped Cream - vibrations "de-foamed" the emulsion, leaving liquid cream at the end.

Lotion - Had some really cool standing waves on the surface.

Jello - 1/4 cup solid jello bounced at low frequencies, then tore itself apart into small bouncing pieces at higher frequencies.

Play Dough - just bounced around on the cone.

Biscuit Dough - Makes a great shock absorber. Bottom moved with cone, but top was nearly motionless at certain frequencies.

Peanut Butter - Not much until we cranked up the power. It started to flow and have standing waves - then the voice coil burned up.

Ooblik - Does all the cool stuff we've seen on YouTube. It's magical stuff. Acts liquid until vibrations cause it to solidify, then it does it's dance.

Video needs a lot of editing. It'll be OK for a class project, but not very good for "public consumption". Maybe I'll edit a super short "highlight reel.":D