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Date: | Wed, 7 Sep 2005 12:15:09 -0400 |
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ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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In response to Jay Higgins (Program/Exhibit Developer, Providence Children's Museum, RI) and his query concerning air bubbles through oil, we have used Karo syrup from a local grocery store and find that it has a suitable viscosity straight from the bottle. Its viscosity can be reduced by the addition of water. Since it is water soluble clean-up is not a major problem. And, should a spill occur, it is not toxic. For many years we have used this in a column about 3 ft. high in a transparent acrylic tube about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. The top of the tube is loosely capped so air can escape but dust and microorganisms cannot fall in. We find that after a few years of air bubbling the syrup stiffens up, so we add a few spoonsful of water. As I recall, the idea of using Karo Syrup this way came from the Ontario Science Centre, perhaps fifteen years ago.
Albert J. Read, Science Discovery Center of Oneonta (NY)
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ORIGINAL QUERY:
from [log in to unmask]
>
>Hi, We've been playing with an art piece for an exhibit where air
>bubbles form at the bottom of a tube and float up through the clear oil.
> I can't remember where else we've seen this, but we love the effect.
>
>After playing with some small amounts of food grade lubricating oil
>we've started looking for large amounts. The trick is finding a clear
>oil in different viscosities that won't break the bank. Does any one
>have experience with mineral oil or silicon oil? Can anyone recommend
>a retailer?
>
>Thanks,
>Jay
>
>--
>Jay Higgins
>Program/Exhibit Developer
>Providence Children's Museum
>100 South Street
>Providence, RI 02903
>401.273.5437 x137
>http://www.childrenmuseum.org
>Come play, come learn!
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