Sources: https://sg.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070528183608AAtSDiD
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/ht/lavalampreal.htm
A lava lamp works by first melting the solid wax in the bottom of the lamp, as it heats up it expands as a liquid in a small portion of the wax. When unevenly heated, that wax is less dense than the oil it's immersed in. It becomes buoyant in the oil and begins to rise. As it goes up the surface tension attempts to form a sphere, when it reaches the top it hits the cooler wax and it cools itself and sinks again. The process is random creating fascinating, mesmerizing shapes.-Mario
Why are we working on this lamp project, so we can experience the fluid motion of buoyancy that happens inside the lamp , why it moves. As amature scientists where taking our level of proficiency in project making to the next step. Overall we want to know the phases of change that occur in the process.-D’Isaac
We're looking to do this experiment as soon as possible, and we are positive on getting approval with findings that will satisfy the next guy about the lavalamp. All in all we want 100 points to split 50 50. Since will be making this an awesome group activity.
Materials:
- a oil soluble pen or marker
- Glass bottle to hold everything together
- a tin can being the base
- a little light
- benzyl alcohol
Step 1.
First Mario and I find materials needed. For example:a glass bottle will be used to keep in the chemicals and heat rising. We will use a tin can as a base for lava lamp. This experiment will be taking place in the classroom. We will be needing a pen, alcohol is already provided, so we can make our experiment possible. Andrew has a light we can use for the lamp. We will split up finding the materials
Step 2.
Once we have all the materials we’ll put them together. First we’ll have to build a base using the tin can, a glass bottle, and the small lamp bulb with a plug cord.
Step 3
When we have the base built we will measure out how much benzyl alcohol we need in the glass. We will mix a a oil soluble pen or marker to add color.
Step 4
We need to try and balance out the benzyl alcohol and salt water so that it can heat up lose density and rise eventually falling. THis might not work the first time, but we will try and test it to fix our mistakes.