I have always been interested in art but, unfortunately have very few skills in creating original images with traditional media. But I have been able to use chemistry to do some interesting and creative image making. For example, moving images with chemical clock reactions, chromatography, and food coloring with milk and dish washing detergent. It may sound unlikely, but the latter is a good example of kinetic art. I have made a short video and that follows with the easy instructions. Anyone can be a kinetic artist with simple chemistry!
Place just enough whole milk to fill the bottom of any container. Whole milk contains about 3.5% fat and either skim, 1% or 2% will not work. Add a few drops of at least three different food colors. Then add a drop or two of liquid dish washing detergent and watch the show.
The explanation:
Dish detergent has a material called a surfactant, or surface active agent. The molecule has two ends, a head and a tail. One end likes water and lowers the surface tension. The other end likes fats and lipids and dissolves fats which is why they can clean dirty dishes. In this demonstration, the surfactant is dissolving the fat and the water portion is attracting the food color. I will post other demonstration on chromatography and chemical clocks at another time. If you come up with an interesting idea, please pass it along in the comments. By the way, Don't drink the milk...
The explanation:
Dish detergent has a material called a surfactant, or surface active agent. The molecule has two ends, a head and a tail. One end likes water and lowers the surface tension. The other end likes fats and lipids and dissolves fats which is why they can clean dirty dishes. In this demonstration, the surfactant is dissolving the fat and the water portion is attracting the food color. I will post other demonstration on chromatography and chemical clocks at another time. If you come up with an interesting idea, please pass it along in the comments. By the way, Don't drink the milk...
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