Last month's activity was inspired by adroit chemist and amateur detective Flavia de Luce, the 11-year-old protagonist of
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. We had a smaller turnout because of that morning's snow, but a spirited discussion and activity. Perhaps because we were fueled by the leftover candy...
Using different coated candies, we learned about chromatography, the separation of a mixture into its components. In this case, we were seeing how the dyes in the candy coatings separated out into different colors. Would the same colors on different brands of candy (M&Ms, Skittles, and Wonka Fruits) react the same way? Which colors would be more complex?
First we had to get some dye. We put drops of water onto a plastic tray and placed the candies on top.
Then we brushed the dyes into coffee filters, labeling each different candy.
Finally, we placed these filters in cups with water, making sure to keep the dye dots above the water line. The water seeped up the filter, reached the dye, and continued to travel upwards, separating the dyes on its path.
We realized as we were doing this that it was important to leave enough space above the dye dots to really see the separation of the dye mixture. If we had more time, it would have been great to do this again, but you can try it at home! Paper towels also work instead of coffee filters, and you can try experimenting with the inks in different colored waterbased markers as well as candy.
Next month we'll be discussing a favorite of mine,
Nation by Terry Pratchett.
