Streaky paper experiment

Science experiments are not only educational, they’re loads of fun as well! Kids will be amazed when you do this streaky paper experiment and see the end results. Something for the wall perhaps?

What you need:

• coloured chalk
• white paper
• newspaper
• plastic cups
• rolling pin
• vinegar
• ziplock bags
• plastic spoon
• large plastic bowl
• water
• cooking oil

Number of players:
1+

Activity:

Place sheets of newspaper on a table.

Fill the bowl with water and add two tablespoons of vinegar.

Place the bowl in the middle of the table.

Place small pieces of different coloured chalk into individual ziplock bags.

Use the rolling pin to crush the chalk into a powder.

Tip each powdered chalk colour into its own cup.

Pour one tablespoon of oil into each cup and stir.

Pour contents of each cup into the bowl of water.

The chalk oil should form coloured oil pools in the water.

Gently lay a piece of white paper on the surface of the water.

Lift it out and lay it face up on the newspaper to dry.

When the paper is fully dry, carefully wipe off any surface chalk and you will have made streaky, swirly paper.

Why?

The oil sticks to the paper because the molecules of chalk (calcium carbonate), vinegar (acetic acid), water and the surface of the paper all chemically mix to make a chemical bond that sticks to the paper.