Fireworks In A Jar

Let’s learn how to make fireworks in a jar for simple summer science, the 4th of July, the New Year, or any fun celebrations!

💡 This fireworks experiment asks What happens when oil and water mix?

WATCH THE VIDEO:

YOU WILL NEED:

• Warm water
• Liquid food coloring (4 colors)
• Vegetable oil
• Tablespoon
• Large mason jar
• Small glass jar or bowl

HOW TO MAKE FIREWORKS IN A JAR

STEP 1. Fill a large mason jar 3/4 way full with warm water.

STEP 2. In a small glass bowl, add 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 4 drops of each color food coloring. Use a spoon or fork to slowly mix around the drops of food coloring to break them up into tinier droplets. Read on to find out why the oil and food coloring won’t mix.

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STEP 3. Slowly and carefully pour the food coloring and oil mixture on top of the water.

STEP 4. Watch the jar to see what happens.

Variations of Fireworks In A Jar

What else can you do with this fun oil and water experiment to get the kids thinking?

1. Mix several colors in one jar, or use one jar per color! You can also have the kids experiment with cold water and observe any changes to the fireworks.
2. You can also add another element to this activity with Alka Seltzer-style tablets and turn them into a homemade lava lamp [here].

Free Printable Science Journal Pages

How Does It Work?

Liquid density is a fun experiment for kids to explore as it combines physics and chemistry! As you observed above, with your fireworks in a jar, oil, and water, do not mix. But why don’t oil and water mix if they are both liquids?

Liquids can have different weights or densities because of their molecular structure. Water is heavier than oil, so it sinks because it is made up of a different amount of molecules.

Food coloring (the easy-to-find kind from the grocery store is water-based) dissolves in water but not in oil. This is how the drops and oil remain separated in the container. As you pour the container of oil and colored droplets into the jar, the colored drops will begin to sink because they are heavier than the oil. Once they reach the water in the jar, they dissolve, making the fireworks in a jar.

Fun Fact: Adding the food coloring to the oil slows down the water and food coloring mixing!

💡 Does the temperature of the water affect what happens to the fireworks in a jar? Turn it into an experiment and apply the scientific method!