You may have heard that oil and water don’t mix. But do you know why?

It comes down to the differences in the molecules of oil and water. Water molecules are ‘polar’ and have a slight electrical charge. Oil molecules are ‘non-polar’ and do not have a charge. Polar and non-polar substances do not mix together.

This activity uses this principle (and a bit of chemisty) to create a very groovy lava lamp!