To make oobleck, you need 3 tablespoons of cornflour and 2 tablespoons of water (you can add food colouring too if you like). Mix it together and see what happens...
What happens when you squeeze it in your hand.
Can you roll it into a ball?
What happens if you touch the oobleck with your hand firmly?
What happens if you touch the oobleck gently?
Can you pour it into another container?
Do you think oobleck is a solid or a liquid?
Oobleck is actually both a solid and a liquid!
"Oobleck is often referred to as a 'non-Newtonian' substance because it does not behave as Newton's Third Law of Motion states; for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Applying this principle, you would expect Oobleck to 'splash' when you 'smack' it with your hand. (Smacking is the action, splashing is the reaction.) However, when you try this out. Oobleck does not splash, in fact, it becomes a solid substance for a few moments. Why? Scientists explain this as follows. Uncooked corn starch particles are structured in both crystalline and noncrystalline arrangements. When slowly mixed with water, the non crystalline structures of corn starch absorb most of the water. When you smack or stir it rapidly, you increase the temperature and pressure on the mixture which causes more non crystalline structures to form. These new noncrystalline structures absorb more water and the mixture becomes thicker:hence the appearance of a solid. When you discontinue the pressure, the number of noncrystalline structures decrease and water is released, creating the 'soupy' mixture." www.http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/science/glopgloop.html"
