We love science!

What is Oobleck?

The Room 6 scientists investigated a strange substance called Oobleck.  It's made by mixing cornflour and water together. Remember how we learnt about solids, liquids and gases? Well this stuff has the properties of both a solid and a liquid. If you hold it in your hand it flows down like a liquid. If you squeeze it or hit it hard it feels like a solid. Weird huh?

It is, in fact, a mix between the two and is called a non Newtonian liquid.

Today scientists are looking into using this type of liquid (not with cornflour though!) to make body armour and to strengthen bridges and building materials.  The material works by getting harder or stronger when something hits or applies pressure to it. Isn't that fascinating?
 
We had a lot of fun testing it out!  Have a look!