Science experiments are a great way to explore the world around us, and you don't need a fancy lab or expensive equipment to get started. With just a few common household items and a bit of imagination, you can make your own science experiments at home.
The key to a successful science experiment is to include variables. Variables are the parts of the experiment that you can change or adjust to test different outcomes. For example, if you’re doing an experiment to test how water evaporates, the variables you could manipulate would be the temperature of the water, the amount of water, and the amount of sunlight that the water is exposed to.
Here are some fun science experiments you can do at home using variables.
1. The Egg Float Test
This is a fun experiment to do with kids. All you need is some eggs, salt, and a pot or bowl of water. The goal is to see if you can make an egg float.
To do the experiment, fill the pot or bowl with water. Put one egg in and note whether it sinks or floats. Then, add some salt and stir it into the water. Add a spoonful of salt at a time, stirring it in and then testing the egg each time.
The variable you’re manipulating in this experiment is the amount of salt in the water. As you add more and more salt, the density of the water will change, and at some point, the egg will float.
2. The Bouncing Egg
For this experiment, you’ll need a raw egg, a glass, and some vinegar. The goal is to see if you can make the egg bounce.
To do the experiment, fill the glass with vinegar and then carefully place the egg in the glass. Let it sit for 24 hours. After 24 hours, take the egg out of the glass and try bouncing it on the counter.
The variable you’re manipulating in this experiment is the amount of time the egg is sitting in the vinegar. The vinegar will slowly break down the shell of the egg, and after 24 hours, the egg will be soft enough to bounce.
3. The Exploding Balloon
For this experiment, you’ll need a balloon, baking soda, and vinegar. The goal is to see if you can make the balloon explode.
To do the experiment, fill the balloon with baking soda and then carefully pour vinegar into the balloon. As the vinegar and baking soda mix, they’ll create a chemical reaction that will cause the balloon to expand and eventually explode.
The variable you’re manipulating in this experiment is the amount of baking soda and vinegar you use. The more baking soda and vinegar you use, the bigger and more dramatic the explosion will be.
4. The Growing Jelly Bean
For this experiment, you’ll need a jelly bean, a cup, and some water. The goal is to see if you can make the jelly bean grow.
To do the experiment, fill the cup with water and then drop the jelly bean in. Let it sit for a few hours and then check back. You should see that the jelly bean has grown in size.
The variable you’re manipulating in this experiment is the amount of water the jelly bean is exposed to. As the jelly bean absorbs the water, it will swell up and become bigger.
5. The Dissolving Candy
For this experiment, you’ll need a piece of candy, a cup, and some water. The goal is to see if you can make the candy dissolve.
To do the experiment, fill the cup with water and then drop the piece of candy in. Let it sit for a few hours and then check back. You should see that the candy has started to dissolve in the water.
The variable you’re manipulating in this experiment is the amount of water the candy is exposed to. As the candy absorbs the water, it will start to break down and dissolve.
Conclusion
These are just a few science experiments you can do at home using variables. There are lots of other experiments you can do, so get creative and have fun exploring the world around you!