This is one of those 'chemistry magic show' type of experiments to wow your friends and family. Here's the scoop: you take a cup of clear liquid, add it to another cup of clear liquid, stir for ten seconds, and you'll see a color change, a state change from liquid to solid, and you can pull a rubber-like bouncy ball right out of the cup.
Please follow the link in the shopping list on this page. It shows you where to order ethyl alcohol.
where can we get ethyl alcohol? we only have isopropyl alcohol at home.
You need to use two containers that will allow you to accurately measure both liquids seperately.
Do you have to use a graduated cylinder or can you use two containers
Sorry about that – I’ve updated the link!
The sodium silicate link no longer works. Where else can I purchase this?
Not to this one because it’s alcohol-based (food coloring will not stick to it and color it).
can you add food coloring?
It depends – I would recommend wearing gloves each time, since the chemical composition doesn’t change, and there are people with skin sensitivities and reactions to alcohol and sodium silicate.
Hey, so after we make the ball can we take off our gloves? Or do we have to wear gloves every time we get that ball back out?
bloopers was funny
ok thanks
No, it will not work with isopropyl (totally different molecule).
Can i use Isopropyl alcohol instead of ethyl alcohol?
Here’s the info from the MSDS: Sodium silicate causes skin irritation, and contact with skin may result in redness, itching, irritation, burning sensation, swelling.
When I do this experiment with kids, they always wear gloves.
The MSDS says the Sodium Silicate is extremely hazardous in case of skin contact. Is it safe to let the kids touch the ball after the reaction?
Look at the main supply list for this unit and you’ll see an order link.
where can you get sodium silicate?
It’s a lot easier to make something that stores charge, like these projects:
https://www.sciencelearningspace2.com/2013/09/jupiters-jolts/
https://www.sciencelearningspace2.com/2014/11/electrophorus/
Can I make a “Lumin Disc”? If so how?
this sounds so cool! I can’t wait to try it 😀 I easily forget things so I typed it down (is that a thing?) on notepad XD
All chemicals have links to MSDS on our website so you can review it carefully, and you’ll find those with the experiment itself and/or on the shopping list.
🙂 Smile tower 🙂 WHATT!
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Hi Aurora
Are there any Warnings or Cautions about the Sodium Silicate or the Ethyl alcohol
Thanks Chloe
There’s an order link on the shopping list for the unit.
where can I get Sodium silicate
Thanks alot! 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
”/o
🙂
There’s a number of places that sell it online, like Carolina.
Hi Aurora, where can we get sodium silicate solution?
Zach :]
Which? The bouncy ball (yes) or sugar sodium (never heard of it, but it sounds like salt and sugar mixed together? If so, then no – you must use sodium silicate and ethyl alcohol.)
can i use it?
Was there more to your question?
would sugar sodium
You’ll find the most economical store to purchase from in the shopping list. It’s for a couple different experiments, so you’ll find it in Units 3 and 8. In a pinch, you can get a Magic Rocks set and use the sodium silicate in the pouch that comes with the kit.
Hi Aurora, is there any substitute for sodium silicate that would work work for this partifular project? And if there isn’t, then can you tell me some stores that I might be able to buy sodium silicate at. I really want to do this project! Please help.
Sofia
Food coloring is water based, so it won’t work with this experiment. You’ll have to find a food dye that is alcohol-based.
If you add food coloring will it ruin the process or will it just keep the color and still work?
Sure, but you’d need to use different chemicals, like this one. The one I show you how to make is a little brittle, but that’s the nature of the chemicals used.
Is there a way to make a bouncy ball that does not fall apart?
Yes – I’ll bet that’s going to look really cool!
for the clear glue can i use clear glue with glitter in it?
I loved the ball it was sooooo fun:)
only two ingrediants? wow! That is cool!
Yes, since sodium silicate is still in the mix, it’s best to wear gloves throughout the entire experiment.
Oh and you said to wear gloves while handeling silicate. Do we have to after we’ve made the bouncy balls? Just wondering.
Thats the problem… see we are moving and its going to be soon… so i don’t know if we will be gone before it gets here. 🙁
I so want to do this experiement.
I’m sorry you’re having trouble! Did you see the order link on Shopping list for Unit 3? You can click it and have it shipped right to you.
I asked the lady at the pharmacy and she said she never heard of sodium silicate. 🙁
No – that’s salt. You need silicate in the compound.
The shopping list has a direct order link… do you see it?
Does Sodium Chloride work?
Where can you Get Sodium Silicate
No, I don’t think I know that one! Let me know what you find out! 🙂 (Be sure to use gloves when handling silicone).
Do you have a recipe to make the silly putty with silicone and chalk?
We are loving the experiments! Thank you for putting this together and sharing it with us. Science is awesome!
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I think that the bouny ball was great thank you Aurora and i really enjoied the science things alot thank you!!!
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Thank you sooooo much
Yes, the alcohol content in beer, wine and whiskey is ethyl alcohol, and in a pinch you can use strong vodka in place of the ethyl alcohol. However the ethyl alcohol you get in the pharmacy section of the drug store also has kerosene mixed in with it so adults don’t drink this stuff right out of the bottle.
Bottom line – you can experiment with both in your chemistry experiment, but don’t drink either one.
my dad said that Ethyl Alcohol was a drinking alcohol
Thank you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much 🙂
No, the dye should not cause any problems for you.
From your pharmacy, or you can click the link in the shopping list for this unit to order it online.
I only have popsicle sticks that are dyed, will it affect the bouncy ball? Or can I rinse the dye off the popsicle sticks?
Thanks
Raena Age: 10
I’m just wondering where you can get Sodium Silicate? :]
This is really awesome!
It’s not really rubber although it does share some properties with rubber, as I’m sure you’ve seen. The best way to think of it is to think of the sodium silicate as being long strands and the ethyl alcohol as being a “connector” that connects the two sides. This makes what is called a polymer. Polymers are long chains that repeat. Many proteins and nucleic acids are polymers. So, the big question… why does this polymer bounce while the others I just mentioned don’t. The answer has to do with the properties of silicon. Silicon, when mixed with other chemicals produces many products that have the characteristic of being bouncy because the bond between the silicon and oxygen are fairly flexible and can be made to move closer together or further apart.
That is so cool! Does it form a sort of rubber or something else?
This sounds so cool!
Charli-
It’s not so much the ‘chemicals’ but what they make when combined together. If the substance you create has high elasticity, like rubber, then it will bounce. These two chemicals cross-link together to form a fishnet of molecules, which is why they globulate (is that a real word?) together to hold their shape. It’s not a true solid form, however, as you’ll find that the ball slowly turns into a pancake when left on the table as the fishnet slowly unwinds itself and the molecules slide past each other.
How do the chemicles(when connected) bounce?
I love all the vidios that you put up, they relly help me to understand what your teaching.Thanks!
Our videos are flash, and currently flash is not supported by iOS devices (iPads, iPhone, etc), but I understand there might be an app you can get to be able to view flash files. We’re working on a solution, but since there are are over 700 videos on the site, we haven’t had the chance to upgrade all the players into a format that works with all mobile devices. I will keep you posted!
We live in an odd area that does not get traditional Internet. However we do get Internet through our iPhones. We would love it if your videos supported the iPhone so that we could view them! Is that a possibility for the future?
Kristine
Oops! You’re right. It’s 4 to 1 ratio of sodium silicate to ethyl alcohol, so you can use 4 tablespoons and 1 tablespoon OR 4 teaspoons and 1 teaspoon. Just be consistent! Sorry for the confusion!
Just a logisitics question: Your video uses the word “teaspoon” in the measuring out the denatured alchol and the sodium silicate. However, your directions use the word “tablespoon”. Does that make a difference? Or do you just get a bigger bouncy ball with the tablespoon measurements? My guess is that it works with either teaspoon or tablespoon measurements…..Thank you.
Really close… the thin stuff (alcohol) cross links up the strands of the thick stuff (silicate) to form more of a fish-net looking molecule. Kind of like when you give a ball of yarn to a kitten – the strands get all knotted and linked up into a large mass. 🙂 Scientists call the alcohol the “cross-linking agent” and the silicate is the “polymer”.
You need to find an alcohol-based dye, not a water-based (which is what food coloring is).
I think that the ball bounces because the sodium silicate (the thick chemical) is so thick that when it mixes with the ethyl alcohol it can take a temporary shape that you form it into.
— Liam (7th grader)
How do you color a bouncy ball? I know food coloring doesn’t work, but is there a way to color it? Just wondering . . .
Question formed by Skylar
*-)
Why does the ball bounce? What makes it bounce?
Written by Skylar 😀
This one doubles quite well.. so yes, you’ll get a BIGGER bouncy ball! 🙂 And you’re right – it’s not always a good idea to increase the quantities used – the reactions don’t always work the way you expect on larger scales.
what would happen if we doubled the quantity of the sodium silicate and the Ethyl alcohol? would it ruin the experiment or would it make a bigger bouncy ball? please write back.
— Liam (7th grader)
Thought I’d mention here too that I found the sodium silicate at a local drug store. When I asked them why they carried it they said because someone asked if they could get it. 😀
Coloring: picked up some alcohol based inks (from the local craft store) to give coloring a try. Going to try the experiment twice: once without coloring and once with.
They are called Lumin Discs – you can search for one online. They come in all kinds of colors, even small enough to wear on your clothing. 🙂
what is that green plazma looking thing behind you?? and where can i get one??
The kids had fun making these. My 7 year old daughter even helped me out when mine didn’t turn out quite right. It kept falling apart. She stirred the popsicle stick in the liquid until it was harden and wrapped around the stick. Then we take the stick out, slide the clump off of the stick and then shape it in your hand. Works great! We filmed our own video to share with your family. Thanks!
That’s an interesting idea – I didn’t think to mention this in the experiment. Yes, it’s a dried form of sodium silicate, so technically, it should work. Let me know how it goes – post it right here in the comment section for others to see! 🙂
Can desiccant silica gel be used in place of sodium silicate? Does it have the same makeup, but only in a dried form?
Yes, you can. Just wash your hands when you’re done (always a good idea in chemistry!).
Can you touch the mixture and form the ball with bare hands?
Yes, but you will need an alcohol-based dye, not a water-based dye (as is the case with food coloring), or the dye won’t dissolve in your solution.
Does this work with food coloring or something colorful? Just wondering…
You can try the Chemistry Store, although their quantities are bigger. Here’s another source for liquid sodium silicate. It’s a cement sealer, so check your local hardware store too!
We live off the road system in Nome Alaska. EVERYTHING has to be flown in. Where can I get Sodium Silicate? I tried the website, but they don’t ship outside of mainland US because they say they can only ship ground. (Not air) Any advice?