Why can you walk on cornstarch and water?

When you mix cornstarch with water, it forms a sticky goop with weird properties. When vibrated, the goop forms writhing, fingerlike projections. And if you punch it the starchy liquid, instead of splashing like water, turns into a solid that’s strong enough to walk on—provided you don’t stop in the middle.

How does cornstarch affect oobleck?

The Oobleck mixture isn’t your typical liquid—or solid. The cornstarch-and-water mixture creates a fluid that acts more like quicksand than water: applying force (squeezing or tapping it) causes it to become thicker.

Why does oobleck only work with cornstarch?

When you mix cornstarch into water, the starchy grains become suspended in the liquid, creating a substance with weird non-Newtonian abilities. When you apply pressure to oobleck, it works the opposite of the previous examples: The liquid becomes more viscous, not less.

Can water become non-Newtonian fluid?

Yes. A non-Newtonian fluid is a fluid whose viscosity is variable based on applied stress or force.

Why is cornstarch non-Newtonian water?

We use the term “viscosity” to describe the resistance of a liquid to flow. Water, which has a low viscosity, flows easily. The cornstarch mixture you made is called “non-Newtonian” since its viscosity also depends on the force applied to the liquid or how fast an object is moving through the liquid.

Does cornstarch and water make oobleck?

Mix 2 cups of cornstarch to 1 cup of water into a bowl. Mix the cornstarch and water until your oobleck is formed. Tip: If you would like to color your oobleck, add your food coloring to your water and then mix with the cornstarch. Just keep experimenting until you get the consistency of oobleck.

What are some examples of non-Newtonian fluids?

NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS

• Quicksand.
• Cornflour and water.
• Silly putty.