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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Filter Paper Planets – A chromatography activity

    Filter Paper Planets – A chromatography activity

    August 10, 2023 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    This activity is a fun introduction to chromatography while learning about the different planets in our solar system.

    The idea is that children create each planet using filter paper while thinking about the size and colour of each one.

    It’s impossible to get the size comparisons right as the difference, in reality, is so vast, but you can make some planets smaller than others.

    Filter Paper Planets

    You’ll need

    Circular filter paper

    Felt tip pens ( not permanent )

    Pipette

    Water

    Tray

    Diagram of the Solar System showing the planets in orbit around the Sun

    Instructions

    Choose a planet from the solar system and choose colours to use to make it.

    Draw small circles of colour on the filter paper.

    Carefully drip water onto each circle using a pipette.

    Watch as the colours spread out. You should see some separation of each ink, showing its constituent colours.

    Hang the filter papers up to dry and then cut to size.

    Chromatography craft made to look like planets of the solar system. A child is dripping water from a pipette onto a small circle of filter paper made to look like a planet.

    WHAT IS CHROMATOGRAPHY?

    Chromatography is a scientific technique used to separate mixtures.

    In this activity, the different colour inks in each felt tip travel at different speeds through the filter paper and so separate. Dark colour inks usually have more different colours than lighter colours.

    This activity isn’t ideal for seeing the separation of the ink but looks good, and the colours blur together to look like a planet.

    If you want to learn more about chromatography, set up an investigation using just a small dot of each colour felt tip at the bottom of a strip of filter paper and hang it so just the bottom sits in the water and watch as the colours separate as they move up the paper.

    paper chromatography results
    string of planets made using felt tip pens and filter paper

    Photos and activity taken from THIS IS Rocket Science

    More science for kids

    Try one of my other space science experiments. You can design, build and test rockets, learn about asteroids and meteorites and lots more.

    Walk the solar system by scaling down the vast distances involved!

    Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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