Oobleck - Non-Newtonian Fluid Lab

Purpose: To observe the properties of a non-Newtonian fluid and contrast the differences with a
regular (Newtonian) fluid.
Background: Non-Newtonian fluids defy Newtons laws in one of two ways. The two behaviors
are shear thinning and shear thickening of a fluid. Thinning involves viscosity going down as
shear stress is increased while thickening involves viscosity going up as shear stress is increased.
Oobleck follows the second behavior, shear thickening. Shear stress on a fluid involves a
stationary plane being rubbed against a parallel plane moving at a constant velocity with the fluid
between the two planes. The variables that affect the shearing rate are velocity of the moving
plane and the distance between the two parallel planes. Shearing rate for non-Newtonian fluids
are not calculated in the same way as Newtonian fluids. Non-newtonian fluids are suspensions
that require some interaction or force to stabilize the solution or vice versa depending on what
behavior the fluid is exhibiting.
The Hamaker theory is an expansion of Van Der Waals forces, involving interaction between
every molecule in the solution, a summation of Van Der Waals forces in short. When Hamaker
attraction is the dominant force within the suspension, it causes the particles to coagulate/thicken
and fall out of the solution. Repulsive forces having a greater magnitude than Hamaker attraction
causes stabilization (sustained suspension). The repulsive forces are either electrostatic or
sterics,the reliance of physical interaction between the surface of the fluid and the polymer chain
of suspended particles. Electrostatic stabilization is composed of two layers, one is the surface
containing similarly charged particles. The second layer is created by equal and oppositely
charged ions attracted to the first layer through the electrostatic field generated by the first layer.
This second outside layer will cause all charged particles to repel each other even though the
particles are technically neutral.
The first picture depicts the repulsion created by electrostatic and the second depicts repulsion
through steric stabilization.

Oobleck is stabilized in its liquid state and unstabilized in its solid state. The two theories
behind shear thickening are order to disorder transition and hydroclustering (both may apply to
oobleck). Order to disorder is relatively simple, the combination of shear stress and Hamaker
attraction overcomes the repulsion of steric stabilization (corn starch+water is the polymer).
Hydroclustering involves the suspended particles going from an immobile state to a mobile

phase, causing hydroclusters to temporarily form. These hydroclusters are not compressible due
to very small distances between each cluster. Hydroclusters are similar to a log like rod of
particles. The repulsive forces in oobleck are steric forces. Hydroclustering and order to disorder
increase the viscosity of our cornstarch suspension. Looks like you may one up Newton now!
Materials:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Water
Corn Starch
Food Coloring
Paper Bowl

Procedure:
1. Pour the bag of cornstarch into the bowl.
2. Slowly begin adding water while stirring the goo
3. Once the goo appears completely liquid and the fluid is extremely viscous when
stirred, you have oobleck!
4. Add food coloring for color if desired! (1 to 2 drops)
Post-Lab Questions:
1. What is one type of behavior of a non-Newtonian fluid?
a. Greenes theorem
b. Taylor expansion
c. Shear thickening/thinning
d. Constant shear rates
2. What is shear stress?
a. The component of force perpendicular to the cross section of
which a force is applied
b. The component of force parallel to the cross section of which a
force is applied
c. The lowering of temperature past -56 degrees Celsius
d. The melting of polar ice caps
3. What is a behavior of oobleck?
a. Shear thickening
b. Shear thinning
c. Constant shear rate
d. Displays of anger
4. What is oobleck made of?
a. Cornstarch and water
b. Smashed tomatoes and acetic acid
c. Chlorine and water
d. Dihydrogen monoxide and dissolved carbon dioxide
5. What is the Hamakers theory?
a. Hydrogen bonding causes stability
b. Summation of Van der Waals forces
c. The viscosity of water increases as shear stress increases
d. None of the above