What You'll Need

This science experiment requires a few simple items that can be found in most households. You'll need a clear glass or plastic cup, a spoon or other stirring tool, a few drops of food coloring and a few teaspoons of baking soda. You'll also need some warm water and a few ice cubes.

Step One: Fill the Cup

Fill the cup with warm water and stir in a few teaspoons of baking soda. This will help to give the water a slightly cloudy or milky appearance. You may want to add a few drops of food coloring to the water as well for a more vivid effect. The color of the water will depend on the food coloring you use.

Step Two: Add the Ice Cubes

Add a few ice cubes to the cup and stir the mixture slowly. As the ice cubes melt, the color of the water will slowly begin to change. Depending on the food coloring you added, the water may turn a variety of colors, including blue, green, yellow, and purple.

Step Three: Observe the Change

Observe the color change as the ice cubes melt. Make sure to stir the mixture slowly and observe the color change as it happens. You may want to try adding different food coloring to the water to see what other colors you can create.

The Science Behind It

The color change in this experiment is due to a chemical reaction. When the baking soda mixes with the water, it creates a reaction that causes the food coloring to change color. The ice cubes help to speed up the reaction and cause the water to change color faster.

Other Variations

If you want to experiment with other color changing reactions, you can try adding different ingredients to the water. For example, you can add vinegar or lemon juice to the water and observe the color change. You can also try adding a few drops of different food coloring to the mixture to create a variety of different colors.

Conclusion

The color changing water science experiment is a fun and easy way to explore chemical reactions. It's a great way to teach kids about the science behind chemical reactions and how they can be used to create a variety of different colors. Plus, it's a fun way to explore the world of science and have some fun with your kids.