Turn Milk Into Plastic Kitchen Science Experiment
In this fun and easy kitchen science experiment for kids, we’re going to turn milk into a plastic like substance.
Materials:
- Milk
- Vinegar
- Measuring cups
- Strainer
- Optional: cookie cutters
- Optional: food coloring
Instructions:
- Put 1 cup of milk in a microwavable bowl and heat it in the microwave for about one and a half minutes. You want the milk hot but not boiling.
- Mix in 4 tablespoons of vinegar.
- Stir for about one minute. The milk will begin to clump as the acid in the vinegar begins to break down the proteins in the milk.
- After that, strain the milk using a strainer. All of the clumps will remain in the strainer. You need to really push on the clumps to remove all of the liquid.
- Lastly, move it to some paper towels and attempt to squish all of the remaining fluid from the plastic milk. After that you can form and shape it and even color it if you wish.
- You can even use cookie cutters to cut your milk plastic into fun shapes!
- Allow your experiment to dry for two days until it is completely hardened.
EXPLORE AWESOME SCIENCE EXPERIMENT VIDEOS!
How it Works:
Milk contains molecules of a protein called casein. When vinegar is added to milk, the pH of the milk changes. The pH change causes the casein molecules to unfold and reorganize into long chains, curdling the milk. The curds can then be kneaded and molded into a material similar in look and feel to plastic.
Make This A Science Project:
Try other acids like lemon juice. Try milk with different fat contents. Try adding salt.
EXPLORE TONS OF FUN AND EASY SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS!
SUBSCRIBE AND NEVER MISS A NEW SCIENCE FUN VIDEO!