The Bouncy Ball Experiment
The Bouncing Ball or “Bouncy Ball” is created by the reaction of two chemicals:
Ethyl alcohol and sodium silicate. Phenolphthalein solution can be used in place
of the ethyl alcohol to produce a brilliant pink bouncy ball.
What you need:
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Sodium silicate
Ethyl alcohol (ethanol)
Small graduated cylinder
100 or 150 ml beaker
Stirring rod
Disposable gloves
What to do:
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Fill the small beaker up to the 20 ml mark with sodium silicate.
Add one drop of food coloring (if desired) to the sodium silicate.
Measure 5 ml of ethyl alcohol into the graduated cylinder
Pour the ethyl alcohol in to the beaker with the sodium silicate
Immediately stir with a popsicle stick or stirring rod.
After the solid forms, take it out of the beaker with your hands and
squeeze the material together. Wear disposable gloves since sodium
silicate is somewhat irritating to the skin.
7) Roll the material into a ball.
8) Enjoy your bouncy ball, but store in a sealed container when not in use.