Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila School

Cainta, Rizal

Senior High School Department

Subject/ Course

LABORATORY REPORT

Name:

Date Performed:

Date Submitted:

Experiment no.: 1

Experiment title: Oobleck- A non-Newtonian Fluid

I. Introduction

“Oobleck” is the green sticky substance described in a classic book Bartholomew

and the Oobleck by Theodor Geisel also known as Dr. Seuss. Oobleck is then named to a
non-newtonian fluid made from mixing cornstarch and water which does not follow the
Newton’s laws of motion, hence called non-newtonian. Oobleck and silly putty
(non-newtonian fluids) have different viscosity that depend on the force applied to them.
In contrast, water (a Newtonian fluid) has a constant viscosity regardless of the force
applied to it. Water does not get thicker or thinner no matter how fast or slow you stir it.

The main goal of this activity is to explore and be able to explain the behavior of
Oobleck as a non-Newtonian fluid. Specifically, the activity is designed for you to 1)
make your own Oobleck out of kitchen ingredient/s; 2) describe how Oobleck behaves
with and without stress/pressure; and 3) explain why Oobleck behaves as non-newtonian
fluid based on the properties of its ingredients. Further, you will be able to describe the
nature of Oobleck in terms of the 1) type of matter and 2) phase of matter it exhibits.
 Accessed from: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ENLYDme1T-k/maxresdefault.jpg 23 September 2021

II. Materials and Procedures

Materials:
● Cornstarch
● Tap water
● Measuring cups
● Newspapers
● Food color (optional)
● Latex gloves (optional)

Procedures:
1. Lay down newspaper on the table, or do the project outside.
2. Put 1 cup of cornstarch into the bowl. Slowly add the water less than ½ cup water
in the cornstarch. Mix it with your fingers until all of the cornstarch is wet.
3. Add a few drops of food coloring (optional).
4. Play with your Oobleck. Try slapping the Oobleck hard, then slowly sinking your
fingers into it. Make a ball or roll out a snake and see what happens when you
stop rolling. Write your observation/s in the box provided below (You can adjust
your Oobleck by adding a little more cornstarch if it feels too wet or more water if
it feels too powdery).

III. Guide Questions

1. What happens as you slap or hit the Oobleck hard?
2. What happens as you slowly sink your finger/s into the OObleck?
3. Describe the type (e.g.: pure substance, mixture...) and phase (e.g.: solid, liquid,
gas...) of matter the Oobleck exhibits. Explain your answer.
4. Explain the behavior and physical properties of Oobleck based on the physical
properties of each substance involved. Align your explanation with your
observations.