What happens to LEGO bricks in different liquids? Do they sink, do they float, do they stand still? Does the viscosity of the liquid make a difference? What do you think? So many questions, so let’s test out the answers and see if the results match our predictions? LEGO makes an awesome learning tool. Make LEGO Discovery bottles for science play!
LEGO DISCOVERY BOTTLES: LEGO AND LIQUIDS
So, do LEGO bricks handle themselves differently in different liquids? Does the viscosity of the liquids make a difference? Let’s make some cool LEGO discovery bottles and explore a little science too. For this quick and easy experiment, you will need a few bottles, variety of liquids, and your LEGO bricks.
SUPPLIES:
MY LATEST VIDEOSLEGO Bricks: {Equal amounts and types for each bottle. We goofed a little on that one!}
LIQUIDS: Hair Gel, Corn Syrup, and Water
BOTTLES: We regularly use VOSS Water Bottles for discovery and sensory bottles.
However many bricks you choose, add them to each of the empty bottles. We eventually settled on the classic 2×2 bricks although we ended up with some of the longer 1×4 Next add the various liquids to each bottle. Note what happens to the LEGO bricks. Which liquid is the most viscous? Which liquid is the least viscous? The thicker the fluid the more viscous it is thus creating more friction within the liquid. NOTE: The tiny LEGO studs were not a great choice.
LEGO and Corn Syrup below. This was by far the most interesting LEGO discovery bottle. Very slowly you will be able to watch the LEGO bricks rise to the top. Turn the bottle upside down and place on it’s top. Watch it happen again. Corn syrup is our medium thickness liquid out of the three choices.
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Below is our LEDO discovery bottle with clear hair gel. Hmm, this stuff is thick, but that’s why it makes your hair stiff and stay put on the windiest day. The LEGO aren’t really going anywhere in this one. In fact, I needed to mix it up a bit to disperse the LEGO around the bottle. They didn’t really move a whole lot.
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Water and LEGO. Well, LEGO does tend to float. This is where we goofed a bit and added different size LEGO, but it had an interesting result. Sometimes some pieces floated and some sank, but it was never the same each time. Water is the least viscous of the liquids.
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So what have we learned form our LEGO discovery bottles experiment? LEGO and liquids are pretty neat and offer lots of possibilities for discovery, observations, and explorations. How else can you test out these ideas? Different LEGO pieces? Different liquids? Make your own experiment, test your own theories, and analyze the results.
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They are actually pretty fun to just leave out for exploring. Someone usually gives one a shake or a flip as they pass by! When you are done with them, empty out as best as possible into a strainer. Since LEGO bricks and bottles. Reuse for more awesome science discovery bottles or sensory bottles!
LEGO DISCOVERY BOTTLES AND SCIENCE
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NEW BOOK COMING SOON!
DID YOU KNOW? We have an unofficial LEGO book coming out this summer! 100+ awesome ideas for using your LEGO collection in unique ways. There is also a Learning with LEGO Facebook group where you can check out all things LEGO everyday. This is going to be awesome. No wait, everything is awesome!
NEW LEGO IDEAS!
It’s LEGO Week! Make sure to check out this great page for a list of new LEGO ideas each day.
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