Science Projects: The Joy of Non-Newtonian Fluids
Have you ever wanted to walk on water, without the downside of being inevitably betrayed and denied by your closest friends?
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In elementary school we learn the difference between the three conventional states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. But as lucky students with cool science teachers (and nerdy kids with the Internet) know, not all fluids are the same.
Non-Newtonian fluids change viscosity under strain. Poke, shake, or smash them, and they act like a solid. Let them sit or move them around slowly, and they act like a fluid. This has some interesting applications, like body armor and custard.
But who needs practical applications when you can create an evil cornstarch monster:
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Want to make some non-Newtonian fluids of your own? There are plenty of recipes online, but the easiest way to do it is to get some water in a bowl and slowly stir in some cornstarch. It should get kinda think and even, and when you get to the point where you can stir slowly, but not quickly, voila -- you have broken the laws of 4th grade science. The technical term is oobleck.
Here are further instructions, one set for geeks:
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And one set for little kids:
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And here's one more for the road:
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And of course, since this is the Internet, there are even more videos to watch.