Experiments

This section of the website contains experiments which you can try at home. We have tried to design these experiments so that you are likely to have the necessary equipment at home. We have also recommended places to buy the equipment if you do not already have it.

The experiments are based around pigments. Pigments are small coloured particles which are insoluble in water. This means they do not dissolve, unlike sugar which seems to disappear when you add it to water. For most of these experiments you can use your own pigments. These are available from art shops or on-line.

The experiments you can try are

• Make your own Egg Tempera - make your own paint from eggs and pigments. Use your paint to create your own picture.
• Invisible Inks - create secret messages which are invisible. Learn how to reveal them when you need to. You can also learn about acid and base chemistry at the same time.
• Ultra Violet Light Investigation - ultra violet light is used in a range of security markings. These markings are invisible in ordinary light, but are revealed with ultra violet light. Learn where these security markings are found, and see if you can find some yourself.
• Make your own Chalksticks - make a chalk stick from eggs, flour and pigment.
• Make your own Acrylic Paint - make your own acrylic paint from PVA glue and pigment.
• Make your own Casein Glue/Binder - make a binder which has been used for 100's of years to make paints. This experiment uses milk, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.
• Make your own Pastels - make your own pastels. Use them to draw pictures.