Super Stuff Non-Newtonian Fluid

Super Stuff
Non-Newtonian Fluid

Remember Super Stuff
from the 1970s?
This recipe is very
similar to that silly,
non-Newtonian fluid. Physics fun at home!





What You Will Need:

• White Glue (Elmer's Glue works very well)
• Borax (available in the laundry aisle at your grocery store)
• Water
• Liquid Water Color Paint or Food Coloring (optional)
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Spoons and Cups
• Zippered plastic storage bags (for air-tight storage)

What You Do for Solution #1:

• Mix 3/4 cup of white glue to 1 cup of water in a mixing bowl.
• Add liquid water color paint or food coloring, if desired.
• Put aside.

What You Do for Solution #2:

• In a separate bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of Borax to 1 cup of water. Stir well until the Borax is dissolved. (Note: It is hard to get the Borax to dissolve completely, but mix as well as you can).
• Set aside.

What You Do for Super Stuff:

• In a separate bowl, mix 6 tablespoons of Solution #1 (above) to 2 tablespoons of Solution #2 (above). (Note: This is a 3:1 mixture. You should have enough of each solution to make two batches of Super Stuff).
• Stir together quickly.
• Knead the Super Stuff until it is well mixed and of uniform consistency.
• Have fun! Make sure to store in an air-tight container to avoid drying out.

Variations:

• Have your children play with their Super Stuff on a tray to avoid sticking to other surfaces.
• Experiment by taking spoonfuls of the Super Stuff and setting them aside. At this point, the Super Stuff is like a solid. Watch how the Super Stuff eventually flows together again like a liquid.
• Experiment to see how long it takes Super Stuff to ooze between your fingers. It's a slow moving liquid!
• Try to stretch your Super Stuff into a large sheet. How far can you stretch it before it breaks?

This recipe is very similar to our Silly Putty recipe, but is of a much thinner consistency — more like "Glurch" or "Flubber".