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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Super Salt Lava Lamp

    Super Salt Lava Lamp

    September 12, 2022 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    This simple salt lava lamp is a fun twist on the more traditional homemade lava lamp that uses a fizzy tablet. The salt lava lamp doesn’t look quite a good, and isn’t as reusable but is still a nice science activity for learning about density.

    salt lava lamp made with water, oil and salt

    You’ll need

    A glass jar or glass

    Vegetable oil – or other cheap cooking oil

    Water

    Food colouring -optional

    Salt

    Instructions

    Fill the glass or jar about three quarters full.

    Top up with vegetable oil to almost the top.

    Sprinkle salt slowly for about 10 seconds over the top of the oil.

    Sit back and watch!

    Keep adding more salt to keep it going.

    salt volcano made with water, oil and salt

    Why does a salt lava lamp work?

    Oil floats on water because it is less dense than water. Anything less dense than than water will float. We’ve demonstrated this before with a basic density jar.

    Oil and water are immiscible liquids, they don’t mix.

    When you pour salt onto the oil it sinks through the oil and into the water carrying a little oil with it.

    The salt dissolves in the water which releases the oil allowing it to float back up to the oil layer.

    More ideas

    Make a traditional lava lamp. These use oil, water and an effervescent vitamin tablet.

    lava lamp made with blue coloured water, oil and an effervescent vitamin tablet

    Another fun way to learn about density is to make a density column using liquids with different densities.

    Image of a density column made with honey, golden syrup, washing up liquid, coloured water and oil

    If you make your own salt lava lamp, don’t forget to send me a picture!

    Salt lava lamp for a science experiment next to a real lava lamp

    Science concepts

    Density

    Immiscible liquids

    Last Updated on September 12, 2022 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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