Science Smarts: Halloween here we come
By PATTY ROOKS on September 11, 2021.
I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw Halloween decorations out in the stores this week! Where does the time go – school just started… Well, since this is a big “holiday” for all of the scientists out there, I thought we had better get stared with some “spooky science” just in case you want to impress your friends on the frightful holiday. Let’s get started! Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment. Materials • Cocoa • Powdered sugar • Red food colouring • Water • Measuring cups • Measuring spoons • Blender Procedure • Get the blender ready by placing it on a sturdy surface and plugging it in. • Measure 250 mL (one cup) of water into the blender. • Squeeze in the entire bottle of food colouring. • Add 500 mL (two cups) of powdered sugar AND 15 mL (one tablespoon) of cocoa powder. • Blend well. • CAUTION: this will stain so be careful how you use it. • NOTE: If you want to make it a bit thicker, add a few squeezed of corn syrup into it and watch it ooze…by adding the corn syrup, you are making it more VISCOUS. What is going on? OK, this is not real blood by any means. In fact, blood is not even red, that is just how we see it. The red actually come from the red blood cells in our body. Red blood cells carry the necessary oxygen we need from our lungs to our tissues and organs. These blood cells turn that bright red when they are exposed to oxygen. Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook or make an appointment to visit us at #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca. 24-23
