Try this experiment to demonstrate your magical abilities.

You’ll be able to write an invisible note for a friend.

Safety Warning: Adult supervision is required because the light bulb used in this experiment can get hot. Children should be assisted at all times to ensure they do not hurt themselves or place the paper too close to the bulb.

Materials:

-1/4 cup (65 ml) lemon juice

-small jar - like a baby food jar

-cotton swab

-sheet of white paper

-lamp with lightbulb

Procedure:

1. Carefully pour the lemon juice into the jar. You should probably do this near a sink or have a towel nearby in case you spill.

2. The lemon juice is the ink that you will use to write a note or draw a picture. Dip the cotton swab into the lemon juice and write on the sheet of paper.

3. Put the paper aside and allow it to dry thoroughly. Your writing should now be invisible.

4. When the paper is dry remove the lamp shade, make sure that the lamp is off and that it is not too hot. Turn on the light and hold the paper up to the bulb.

5. What happens?

Try writing with orange juice or milk? Do you get the same results?

Explanation:

Once the lemon juice is dry it is difficult to see because of its light color. The heat from the lightbulb evaporates the water part of the juice. The component that remains on the paper mixes with the oxygen in the air which makes the juice turn brown and your message magically appear. You can impress your parents and friends by drawing pictures and writing notes that only you can make appear.

Try making some plastic, with the help of an adult, with things you have around the house. You can even try to make it into different shapes.

Safety Warning: Adult assistance and supervision is required because of the use of the stove required in this experiment.

Materials:

-heavy cream

-saucepan

-vinegar

-teaspoon

Procedure:

1. Put the cream into the pot.

2. With the help of an adult warm the cream on the stove. Make sure to be very careful and watch that you don’t burn your fingers on the stove.

3. When the cream begins to simmer slowly add a few teaspoons of vinegar and gently stir.

4. Continue to stir the mixture until it becomes rubbery.

5. Remove the pot from the heat. Take your plastic out of the pot and rinse with cold water.

You have now made your own plastic!

Explanation:

Deep inside rocks is oil that is formed over millions and millions of years. Most of the plastics we use, like lunch containers and plastic toys, are made from this oil, called petroleum oil. The plastic that you just made is similar because you started with an oil (the cream) that is almost the same as the oil found in rocks.

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