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How Do You Make Corn Starch Mud?

Published in DIY Science Experiment 4 mins read

Corn starch mud, often known as Oobleck, is a fascinating and easy-to-make non-Newtonian fluid that demonstrates unique properties, behaving as both a liquid and a solid. Unlike making corn starch itself, which is an industrial process of extracting starch from corn kernels, creating corn starch mud involves a simple mixture of readily available ingredients.

Understanding Corn Starch Mud (Oobleck)

Oobleck is a shear-thickening fluid, meaning its viscosity increases under stress or sudden force. This gives it its distinctive paradoxical nature. As highlighted in the video clip, its behavior is quite remarkable: "And then it becomes solid but if I pour. It. It's a liquid even if I hold it in my hand." This perfectly encapsulates how the mixture transforms from a pourable liquid to a firm solid when pressure is applied, and then back to a liquid when the force is removed.

What You'll Need

Making corn starch mud requires just a couple of basic household items.

Ingredient/Equipment Description
Corn Starch The primary ingredient, a finely ground powder derived from corn.
Water Used to create the fluid mixture.
Large Mixing Bowl To contain your ingredients and allow for easy mixing.
Spoon or Hands For mixing; often, hands are the best tool for achieving the right consistency and experiencing the unique texture.
Food Coloring Optional – to add vibrant colors to your Oobleck for extra fun.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating corn starch mud is a simple and quick process, perfect for a hands-on science experiment.

  1. Measure the Corn Starch: Pour about 1 cup (240 ml) of corn starch into your large mixing bowl. This is a good starting point, and you can adjust quantities later.
  2. Gradually Add Water: Slowly add about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of water to the corn starch. The general rule is to start with a 2:1 ratio of corn starch to water by volume.
  3. Mix Thoroughly: Begin mixing the corn starch and water. It's often easiest to use your hands for this, as you can feel the consistency. The mixture will initially be crumbly but will soon start to come together.
  4. Adjust Consistency:
    • If the mixture is too thick or too crumbly, add water in very small increments (a teaspoon at a time).
    • If it's too runny, add more corn starch, a tablespoon at a time.
    • You're aiming for a consistency where it feels solid when squeezed quickly but drips like a liquid when held loosely.
  5. Add Food Coloring (Optional): If desired, add a few drops of food coloring while mixing to give your Oobleck a fun color.

Tips for Success

  • Ratio is Key: While 2:1 is a good starting point, the exact ratio can vary slightly. The goal is to find the perfect balance where it exhibits its unique properties most clearly.
  • Slow Mixing: Mix slowly at first to avoid creating a cloud of corn starch dust.
  • Experimentation: Don't be afraid to experiment with the proportions. Half the fun is discovering the ideal consistency for your Oobleck.
  • Easy Cleanup: Oobleck is relatively easy to clean up with water. Avoid pouring large amounts down the drain as it can clog pipes. Dispose of it in the trash.

The Science Behind It

The non-Newtonian behavior of corn starch mud is due to the suspension of tiny corn starch particles in water. When slow, gentle pressure is applied, the water molecules can flow around the starch particles, allowing it to behave like a liquid. However, when a sudden force or impact (like punching it or rolling it quickly) is applied, the water is squeezed out from between the particles, forcing them to jam together and temporarily behave like a solid. Once the force is removed, the water flows back, and the mixture returns to its liquid-like state.