corn starch water iodine experiment

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How-to Science Experiments for Kids With Iodine and Cornstarch

How to Make a Vitamin C Indicator

For a handy experiment you can show your young children or let your teens do with your supervision, two well-known experiments exist that demonstrate chemical reactions with iodine and cornstarch. Iodine is a common element found in many medicine cabinets. One of the properties of iodine is that it turns purple in the presence of starch, which is a common staple of most kitchens in the form of cornstarch. You can use this property to look at how starch reacts with different chemical and enzymes. The objective of the first experiment is to show how enzymes in saliva begin to digest the starch in the iodine and starch solution. Hypothesize with your audience how the starch and iodine solution changes when starch is digested. When you add saliva to the iodine and starch solution, the enzyme amylase breaks down starch in saliva to begin digestion, and the solution becomes clear while the control solution that has no saliva remains purple. The objective of the second experiment is to show how much vitamin C is in each juice. Vitamin C buffers the reaction between the iodine and starch and makes the purple color disappear. This experiment hypothesizes that the juice with the highest level of vitamin C will require the fewest drops to clear the purple color from the solution. Orange juice, with the highest vitamin C content will require the fewest drops to stop the reaction while cherry juice will require the most.

Saliva and Starch Digestion

Pour a teaspoon of water into one of the test tubes. Mark this "Tube A" with a piece of masking tape.

Spit into the teaspoon until it is full. Pour the saliva into the second test tube. Mark this "Tube B" with a piece of masking tape.

Measure 1/4 teaspoon of cornstarch and place in each test tube. Shake each tube to dissolve the starch.

Put on the safety glasses. Fill the eye dropper with iodine.

Place four drops of iodine into each test tube. Watch as the fluid in both tubes turns a deep blue color.

Place the tubes in the holder and leave them undisturbed for 30 minutes.

Check the color after 30 minutes. The test tube filled with water and cornstarch will still be purple. But the test tube with saliva will have lightened or even become clear. This is because the enzymes in saliva break down starch. This shows the first steps in digestion.

Exploring Vitamin C Content in Juice

Pour a cup of water into a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and mix with the fork until the starch is completely dissolved.

Put on the safety glasses. Fill the eyedropper with iodine. Add the iodine to the cornstarch mixture one drop at a time until the entire mixture is a deep blue color. Empty the rest of the eyedropper. Rinse out the dropper with water.

Pour 2 tablespoons of the iodine and cornstarch mixture into four test tubes and place them in the rack. With masking tape and a pen, label each tube for Orange, Lemon, Apple, or Cherry juice.

Fill the eyedropper with orange juice. Put two drops into the first test tube. Swirl the tube to mix the solution. Continue to add juice and swirl until the solution is clear. Record the number of drops needed to make the solution clear.

Repeat with the other three juices, recorded the number of drops for each juice. Because ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, stops the reaction between cornstarch and iodine, the juice with the highest level of vitamin C will require the fewest drops to clear the solution. Juices that contain less vitamin C will require more drops of juice to clear the solution.

Things You'll Need

Tray other juices to figure out which juices have the highest concentration of vitamin C.

Iodine can stain skin, clothing and counter tops. Make sure you perform this for young children, and that teens and older children perform this only under your adult supervision.

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Based in Nashville, Shellie Braeuner has been writing articles since 1986 on topics including child rearing, entertainment, politics and home improvement. Her work has appeared in "The Tennessean" and "Borderlines" as well as a book from Simon & Schuster. Braeuner holds a Master of Education in developmental counseling from Vanderbilt University.

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Middle School Science Blog

Free lesson plans and resources for grades 5-8 by liz belasic (liz larosa), diffusion lab – iodine & cornstarch.

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Materials and Set Up – this was so easy and inexpensive to do and had the same effect as using dialysis tubing. Great demo/lab as part of our unit on osmosis and diffusion!

For every two students:

• handout from Biology Corner
• large beaker
• inexpensive sandwich bag – non sealing (I used Wegmans 150 ct)
• 1 tbsp corn starch
• 50 mL water
• rubber band
• clothes pin
• graduated cylinder
• 100 mL Iodine dilution

Iodine Preparation

• 20 ml Iodine added to 500 mL of water
• measure out 100 mL of diluted iodine for each group

Prelab Prep:

• Place one bag over each beaker
• Add 1 tbsp of cornstarch to each bag
• Add 50 mL of water to each bag
• Check for leaks
• Use a rubber band on each one to keep closed
• Clip bag to beaker

Observations

• Iodine is able to pass through the plastic bag, the starch is not
• Have students lift the bag out to see the changes that are taking place

Update – I let the set up sit over the weekend, and when I came in today, the water was almost completely clear – looks like just about all of the iodine moved into the bag:

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5 thoughts on “ Diffusion Lab – Iodine & Cornstarch ”

Is there an alternative to iodine or do you know where to find cheap iodine? I don’t have access to a chemistry lab.

I think I bought some from the supermarket or drugstore, sorry I do not recall.

Hi, I’m just finishing up investigations with my 7th graders on osmosis and diffusion. Oddly, I tried this very set up hoping that inexpensive baggies would work. We had tried with a z-loc brand bags and had no luck ( just letters to the company letting them know how non permeable their baggies were) so I used the store brand baggie and we were still disappointed. I guess we all felt better about our sandwiches wrapped in these baggies but not to see the diffusion. We did a great investigation with carrots and salt and then moved onto “naked eggs”. I had been very hopeful the baggie would work. Glad it did for your crew.

Like Liked by 1 person

We used either Wegman’s brand fold over sandwich bags or ShopRite – I threw out the box without writing it down 😦 -Sorry it didn’t work for your class 😦 The carrots sounds like a great idea, I saw one using potato slices that I thought about using as well. I have never tried the egg one, but heard it works well 🙂

Update – it was Wegmans brand, box was still in my room 🙂

Late to the party but I am using ziplock brand locking and it is working but I had to increase the amount of iodine to about 1/2 and 1/2 for it to work in a reasonable timeframe

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more in Experiment Blog

Oobleck – the cornstarch and water experiment.

This may just be the easiest, messiest, and most fun science activity I know. It is a classic, and I have gotten several requests recently to post directions. You should know that if you try this activity and  you are not smiling and messy with corn starch goo at the end, then you are definitely doing something wrong. Also keep in mind that this is not just about fun, there is some pretty amazing science going on here.

You will need:

• Cornstarch (a 16 oz. box is good for every 2-3 participants – but more is always better)
• Food coloring (we always say it’s optional, but it does make it more fun – don’t use too much or you could end up with colored hands…and clothes…and curtains)
• A large bowl
• A camera – you’re probably going to want to take pictures.

Everyone should roll up their sleeves and prepare for some gooey fun.

• This is easy. Pour the cornstarch into the bowl. Don’t rush to add water – take time to feel the cornstarch. Cornstarch does not feel like any other powder. It has a texture that can be compared to that of whipped cream. The grains of cornstarch are so small that they will fill into grooves of your fingerprints and make the prints stand out.
• After you’ve taken-in the feel of the powder, it is time to add water. (You should add the food coloring to your water before adding it to the powder.) There are no exact formulas regarding how much water to add, but it will end up being about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of water per cup (235 ml) of cornstarch. The secret is to add the water slowly and mix as you add it. Don’t be shy here – dig in with your hands and really mix it up. This is usually when you notice that this is not your average liquid. Add enough water so that the mixture slowly flows on its own when mixed. The best test is to reach in and grab a handful of the mixture and see if you can roll it into a ball between your hands – if you stop rolling it and it “melts” between your fingers – success!

We’ll get the the science soon, for now just dig in and explore. Notice that the goo does not splash (or even move) if you hit it quickly. Squeeze it hard and see what happens. How long can you get the strands of goo to drip? What happens if you let the goo sit on the table for a minute and then try to pick it up? How does it feel? Hows does it move? Try bouncing a ball on the surface of the cornstarch. You get the idea – explore!

30 minutes later…

So now goo is everywhere and you’re thinking you should probably start cleaning. Actual clean up of the goo is a snap. A bucket of warm water will quickly get it off your hands. It will brush off of clothes when it dries, and it is easily cleaned off surfaces with a wet rag.

Important : Make sure you do not dump the goo down the drain – it can get caught in the drain trap and take the joy out of your day of science. Dump it in the trash, or even mix it into soil in the garden.

Now for the science… Our cornstarch goo (sometimes referred to as “oobleck” from the Dr. Suess book) is what scientists call a “Non-Newtonian” liquid. Basically, Sir Issac Newton stated individual liquids flow at consistent, predictable rates. As you likely discovered, cornstarch goo does NOT follow those rules – it can act almost like a solid, and them flow like a liquid. Technically speaking, the goo is a SUSPENSION, meaning that the grains of starch are not dissolved, they are just suspended and spread out in the water. If you let the goo sit for an while, the cornstarch would settle to the bottom of the bowl.

So why does this concoction act the way it does? Most of it has to do with pressure. The size, shape, and makeup of the cornstarch grains causes the cornstarch to “lock-up” and hold its shape when pressure is applied to it. People have filled small pools with oobleck and they are able to walk across the surface of it (as long as they move quickly.) As soon as they stop walking, they begin to sink.

I hope you get to try this out. Let us know how your day with non-newtonian liquids went.  Have fun exploring!

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How to Perform the Iodine Clock Reaction

Last Updated: January 15, 2024

This article was reviewed by Anne Schmidt . Anne Schmidt is a Chemistry Instructor in Wisconsin. Anne has been teaching high school chemistry for over 20 years and is passionate about providing accessible and educational chemistry content. She has over 9,000 subscribers to her educational chemistry YouTube channel. She has presented at the American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AATC) and was an Adjunct General Chemistry Instructor at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Anne was published in the Journal of Chemical Education as a Co-Author, has an article in ChemEdX, and has presented twice and was published with the AACT. Anne has a BS in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, and an MA in Secondary Education and Teaching from Viterbo University. This article has been viewed 45,466 times.

If you are a science teacher who wants to amaze your students, or just an average amateur chemist, then this is the experiment for you! The classic iodine clock reaction demonstrates the properties of chemical kinetics through its mesmerizing change in color, and it is sure to fascinate you and perhaps your audience. With just a few household items, you can easily perform this experiment with great success.

• 10 volume hydrogen peroxide
• 1000 mg vitamin C tablets
• 5% Iodine tincture
• Distilled water
• Containers (preferably clear)
• Coffee filters

Community Q&A

• Your containers can be reused after the experiment. Wash them with a bit of dish soap, and they're good to go! Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• This experiment can easily fail, so don't despair if your first attempt doesn't go as planned. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• If your vitamin C tablets or iodine tinctures are of a different concentration, then you will need to mathematically scale it to the correct ratio. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

• Iodine tinctures can stain clothing and skin, so avoid getting it on them. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

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The iodine clock reaction experiment.

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Iodine clock reaction supply list.

Warm, distilled water

Boiling water

Corn starch

500 mg caplet of Vitamin C

10% Povidone Iodine

3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Don't forget your safety gear!

Safety goggles

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Weekend Science Fun: Iodine Chemistry

As mentioned earlier, this year is the International Year of Chemistry . To celebrate, we are going to have a series of fun chemistry activities and experiments for children.

1. Iodine as a Starch Indicator

What is an indicator? In chemistry it is a substance that “indicates” the presence or state of another substance, often by changing color. For example, pH indicators change color in the presence of substances with certain levels or ranges of pH.

The element iodine can be used to indicate the presence of starch, a complex molecule often found in plants or foods derived from plants. Let’s take a look at how that works (with the supervision of an adult).

• tincture of iodine (available at pharmacies)
• disposable containers such as paper plates or bowls
• newspaper (or other disposable material) to cover work surface
• safety:  gloves, shoes, old clothes
• food to test:  apples, onions, potatoes, corn chips, bread, corn starch, etc.
• knife or other implement to cut food

Note about safety:  read all the product warnings on the label before using. Iodine is used as a disinfectant, but it can stain skin and clothes (it can also be toxic in higher concentrations.) Be sure to wear gloves and closed-toe shoes when working with it. Clean up spills and dispose of all food used in this demonstration immediately and completely so the tested items will not be accidentally consumed by humans or pets.

Cut up a small sample of each food to be tested and place in a disposable container on a work surface covered with newspaper or other disposable material. Predict whether each food item contains starch. You might want to write down your predictions. Now place a few droplets of iodine on each item. Iodine is normally a yellow-brown color. If the iodine turns a dark blue-black color, starch is present.

Your results may look something like this:

If you don’t try it yourself, this video shows what you might see: (wish he was wearing gloves)

2. Are plastic bags impermeable? An iodine test.

Now we are ready to find out how well plastic bags keep substances in or out. This experiment is a modified version of a demonstration used to show how materials diffuse in and out of cells through a membrane.

• tincture of iodine (available at pharmacies) – see safety precautions above
• corn starch
• Mixing container and implement for corn starch and water
• 4 beakers or large disposable containers for liquids that will hold at least 1 full cup of liquid
• 3 different types of sandwich and/or zipper- lock style bags (make one a freezer bag, if possible) and twist-ties

First, cover your work surface with newspaper. Mix about 1/3 cup of corn starch in about one pint of water in a container. Next fill each of the beakers with 1/2 cup water. Add drops of iodine to each of the 4 beakers of water until the color is a golden brown. Try to add the same amount to each one.

Now, add 1/2 cup of the cornstarch-water mixture to each of the three bags. Also add 1/2 cup to the 4th beaker to serve as a control. Seal the bags with the zipper-lock or with a twist -tie. Suspend each bag in a beaker, with the cornstarch mixture into the iodine water. Be careful not to overflow the beaker. Now wait and record what happens every five minutes.

Your experiment should look something like this, although you should avoid our mistake and start with bigger containers. 🙂

After 1/2 hour you should see some differences. Can you tell the regular sandwich bag from the heavy-duty freezer bag? What happened to the corn starch?

Be sure to wear gloves when you dispose of the containers and clean up your work surface.

Do you think things would be different if you put the iodine in the bag and the cornstarch-water in the beaker? See this video for the answer.

Let me know if you have questions or comments.

For more high school/college level videos and information see the NKU Demo Database- Chemistry.

Upcoming International Year of Chemistry Events are appearing on the website. For example:

Michigan Super Science Saturday: Celebrating Chemistry – Past, Present, Future, a science extravaganza for the West Michigan community.  This event will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at Grand Valley State University.

Southwest Georgia The chemistry celebration will kick off at 9 am February 12, 2011 at Bailey Science Building of Valdosta State University with a morning of hands-on science activities for students of all ages and their parents.

The American Chemistry Society (ACS) is putting together a IYC 2011 -Calendar although the events link is not active as of today.

Chemistry , Fun Science Activity

fun science with iodine Iodine chemistry for kids

October 29, 2013 at 10:30 am

I was looking for the instructions for the starch test today and stumbled upon your blog. I love the baggie experiment even more than the first. Great stuff. Thanks! Off to wander around some more. 🙂

October 29, 2013 at 12:38 pm

Oh my, I wandered around your blog, too. I love the cecropia project! (Which I will add here for those who a curious: http://magicandmayhem.homeschooljournal.net/2013/10/26/our-newest-visitor/ )

October 29, 2013 at 12:42 pm

And oh yes, hope you have fun with the starch!

May 30, 2019 at 12:17 pm

I guess I could try some of this ARGO* Corn starch

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Top 15 Science Experiments with Cornstarch

Cornstarch, an everyday pantry staple, is often reserved for thickening gravies or perfecting baked goods. But what if we told you that this unassuming white powder holds the key to a realm of scientific wonders?

When cornstarch meets science, the results are nothing short of magical: from dancing particles to mystifying liquids that behave like solids.

Discover the captivating world of cornstarch with our carefully curated collection of the top 15 cornstarch experiments, perfect for students of all ages.

By engaging in these experiments, students can enhance their problem-solving skills, foster a love for experimentation, and deepen their understanding of scientific concepts.

It’s time to unleash your inner scientist and explore the wonders of this remarkable substance!

1. Electric Cornstarch

This mesmerizing experiment combines the simplicity of cornstarch with the mind-blowing properties of electricity.

2. Rainbow Foam Dough

Get ready to dive into a world of colorful wonder with the captivating experiment of Rainbow Foam Dough! Brace yourself for a sensory explosion as you blend the magic of cornstarch with vibrant hues, creating a mesmerizing, squishy masterpiece.

Learn more: Rainbow Foam Dough

3. Frozen Popsicle Chalk

Combining cornstarch’s wonders with vibrant colors and freezing temperatures will create a unique and refreshing medium for your artistic expression.

Imagine the thrill of crafting your very own popsicle-shaped chalk that magically transforms sidewalks into vibrant masterpieces.

Learn more: Frozen Popsicle Chalk

4. Cornstarch Quicksand

Mixing cornstarch with water creates a mesmerizing concoction that behaves like both a solid and a liquid, defying our understanding of conventional materials.

5. Scented Edible Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Imagine the thrill of transforming your ordinary sidewalk into a vibrant canvas that not only showcases your artistic talent but also tantalizes your senses.

By combining the magic of cornstarch with enticing scents and vibrant colors, you’ll create a unique and mouthwatering medium for your creative expression.

Learn more: Scented Edible Sidewalk Chalk Paint

6. Pretend Frozen/Melting Ice Cream

By combining the wonders of cornstarch with colorful ingredients and a touch of magic, you’ll craft a sensory masterpiece that mimics the look and feel of real ice cream.

Learn more: Pretend Frozen/Melting Ice Cream

7. Colorful Oobleck

! Brace yourself for a magical substance that defies the laws of physics and challenges your understanding of matter.

By combining the simplicity of cornstarch with a burst of vibrant colors, you’ll create a mind-bending concoction that is both a liquid and a solid.

Learn more: Colorful Oobleck

8. Make Homemade Watercolor

Get ready to unleash your inner artist and explore the fascinating world of color with the captivating experiment of making Homemade Watercolor!

Get your paintbrushes ready as you embark on a creative journey that allows you to craft your very own vibrant and unique watercolors using cornstarch.

Learn more: Make Homemade Watercolor

9. Dancing Oobleck

As you explore the properties of this peculiar substance, you’ll witness Oobleck come to life, dancing and rippling in response to vibrations.

Learn more: Dancing Oobleck

10. Make A Clay

This hands-on experience allows you to experiment with different textures, shapes, and designs, providing endless possibilities for artistic expression.

Learn more: Make A Clay

11. Edible Gluten Free No Cook Playdough

By combining the wonders of cornstarch with simple ingredients from your kitchen, you’ll create a sensory masterpiece that can be molded, squished, and sculpted to your heart’s content.

Learn more: Edible Gluten Free No Cook Playdough

12. Home Made Easy Face Paint

Get ready to transform into a colorful and imaginative character with the captivating experiment of Homemade Easy Face Paint using cornstarch! Get your brushes ready as you embark on a creative journey that allows you to customize your own face paint using simple ingredients found in your kitchen.

Learn more: Home Made Easy Face Paint

By combining cornstarch with water, you’ll create a mesmerizing concoction that behaves like a liquid and a solid simultaneously.

Learn more: Sludge

14. Cornstarch Goo

y mixing cornstarch with water, you’ll create a gooey and malleable material that reacts in unexpected ways. As you explore the properties of Cornstarch Goo, you’ll witness its peculiar behavior—firm when touched with force but fluid and runny when left alone.

15. Edible Slime or Gak

Get your hands ready for a squishy and tasty experience as you combine the wonders of cornstarch with edible ingredients to create a delightful slime that you can eat. This hands-on experiment not only lets you explore the fun and tactile sensation of slime but also offers a safe and delicious twist.

Learn more: Edible Slime or Gak

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Iodine and Starches Visual Science Experiment for Kids

Using iodine to identify starch is a fantastic visual science experiment for kids.

Some links on this site are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you!  Learn more .

The kids really enjoyed this simple experiment of using iodine to identify starch. I got to thinking about iodine after writing last week’s water post, because I remembered using iodine tablets to purify water when I went hiking on the Inca trail as a thirteen-year-old. It’s hard to visually explain that experiment, but the starch one is quite striking!

Iodine and Starch Simple Experiment

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Iodine is normally brown – not very attractive! Add it to starch, however, and you get a beautiful royal purple color! This makes for a truly striking visual science experiment that kids love.

I pulled out some iodine wipes  (warning: iodine STAINS – be careful!), and we set up our experiment. Iodine in liquid form or tablet  form can also be used; simply dissolve the tablets with a little bit of water for this experiment. I put flour, salt, and oatmeal on the plate, and then added baking powder on a whim, just to see what would happen.

How Do Everyday Pantry Items React to Iodine?

Salt doesn’t have any starch, so the iodine stays brown.

Flour has a lot of starch! The iodine turned dark purple! We added a few drops of water with a syringe to help our drop of iodine to mix with the flour.

Oatmeal also has a lot of starch! It turned purple as well, although cooked oatmeal might have allowed the iodine to spread more thoroughly. Or a little more water =)

The baking soda bubbled up and turned purple at the edges. The purple is probably because most baking soda has some starch mixed in, but I’m still not sure why it bubbled. Does anyone know?

Update: It bubbles because baking powder contains baking sodamy IRL friend thanks to my IRL friend Kathy for reminding me of this! Baking soda reacts to acids, so the iodine must be slightly acidic. Here is Kathy’s explanation, if you would like the chemical details (thanks, Kathy!):

I think you created a chemical reaction with the Iodine (I2) baking soda NaHCO3 and water H20 to form a new chemical compound and also CO2 (gas) is a biproduct… which is what the bubbles would be… this is also what makes muffins, cookies, etc rise when baked is the release of the carbon dioxide gas…

Carla added in the comments:

Iodine wipes usually have povidone-iodine, which is a mixture of povidone, hydrogen iodide (which is very soluble in water and would form hydroiodic acid), and elemental iodine (which can act as an acid or base, depending on what you mix it with). Stirring baking soda (a base) into that should give you some excellent fizzing!

The kids thought this was fascinating – and very strange! Johnny asked us to put it in the fridge for a while to see if that changed anything. It didn’t, but I was thrilled to see him taking our experiment one step further!

Have you tried this iodine and starch experiment with your kids? What did they think?

More Science Activities for Kids

Our favorite simple science projects for kids, storybook science: exploring the way things work, science for littles: experimenting with gummy candy, science for littles: weighing, fun science: candy experiments, animal science biology for kids: animal observation log, fun ways to explore the science of flight with kids, growing sugar crystals: delicious science for kids, making pizza with kids: pizza dough science, how to make dry ice ice cream - cool science, growing salt crystals - kids love this visual science experiment, 10 sensational sound activities for preschoolers - explore the science of sound, physics for kids: an easy fluid dynamics experiment, simple experiments for kids: plants and sunlight, diy summer camp.

I’ve teamed up with some fellow bloggers to bring you even more awesome content all month. Click  HERE   for more Chemistry Themed Summer Camp Activities and  HERE  for more DIY Summer Camp Activities!

Share comments and feedback below, on  my Facebook page , or by  tagging me on Instagram .  Sign up for my newsletter  to receive book recommendations, crafts, activities, and parenting tips in your inbox every week.

MaryAnne Kochenderfer

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

46 thoughts on “Iodine and Starches Visual Science Experiment for Kids”

What a fascinating science experiment! Definitely going on my to-do list this year!

I think you are much braver then I am in pulling out the iodine! But it looks like an awesome experiment.

SO COOL!! This would be such a great experiment to do, thanks for sharing!!!

This is such a fun experiment! I remember doing something similar a few years ago with my kiddos.

That is fascinating! I didn’t know iodine would react to starch. I love kitchen science!

This is one of my favorite science experiments – so easy and magical!

This is really interesting – something to do with our own kids this summer. They love experimenting with things around the house. And just scrolling down to your comment section had me seeing lots of other things we can do together this summer.

How fun! My kids would love this!

I love doing experiments with the kids using things/ingredients we have around the house – so much fun!

This is really cool. I think my daughter will love it. Can’t wait to try it with her.

I love this SO much! Very awesome experiment! I want to use this to make a detective chemistry lab! Also…the iodine/baking soda reaction is fantastic…Iodine wipes usually have povidone-iodine, which is a mixture of povidone, hydrogen iodide (which is very soluble in water and would form hydroiodic acid), and elemental iodine (which can act as an acid or base, depending on what you mix it with). Stirring baking soda (a base) into that should give you some excellent fizzing!

Thank you for this additional explanation!

ooooh, I know a little scientist who will LOVE this, thank you!

What a great experiment, so simple, but so interesting! Thanks for linking to Fun Sparks. x

Such an interesting experiment! And great pictures! They show everything so well. Thanks for sharing on weteach.

I loved doing this when I taught Science – it was my first ever lesson and I still remember it after 10+ years.

Thank you also for featuring our snow dough – I’ve linked up again this week with our first exploration of weighing with some snowmen crispie cakes.

I think this is one of the funnest science experiments – so visual and so immediate!

Thanks for linking up again!

It looks like they were having a lot of fun learning! I just read in The Hunger Games where she used iodine drops to purify water. I’m sure I learned that at some point but I think I had forgotten ;)

Apparently if you add vitamin C it gets rid of the icky iodine taste – and protects your from scurvy!

What a fun experiment – my kiddos are very little, but I’m hoping to try a baking soda and vinegar investigation soon!

Baking soda and vinegar was our first – I love that one, because it’s so accessible to even the youngest children. This is my kids’ favorite version: https://www.mamasmiles.com/sensory-play-with-baking-soda-and-vinegar/

This is a great idea, I can’t wait to add this as a lesson in my Little Hands that Cook lessons so they can see why we add all these special ingredients.

What a great addition to the series!

This really looks like fun! JDaniel would love to see the chemical reaction.

What a fun experiment! I remember getting a science kit as a kid and having lots of fun with iodine.

Did you enjoy the Inca Trail as a 13 yo? It’s a dream of my husband and I to hike it but think we may need to do it without kids someday. We have been to Peru, but would love to hike the trail.

It was an amazing experience. We hiked a four-day segment in Bolivia, starting at 14,000 feet the first day, hiking up to 16,000 feet, and then down to 8,000 over the next three days. Parts of the trail were missing, but our guide knew their way. The first day was pretty grueling, but after that it was (literally) all downhill. Definitely something I’ll remember forever!

I love experiments like this! Thanks for sharing at We Teach. My kids and I did an experiment with purple cabbage not too long ago. We soaked a coffee filter with boiled purple cabbage water, dried the filter, and used our filter to test ph levels. I’m sure you’d find the directions for experiments like this online. We’re going to try your experiment with iodine and some of the others you’ve shared. Thanks!

I keep meaning to make ph paper using cabbage – thanks for the reminder! And thank you for visiting from We Teach!

Very fun! There used to be a unit called mystery powders something like this. Doesn’t any liquid and baking soda cause bubbles? Learning like this is so wonderful for your children. Love the photos. Carokyn

Somehow I forgot baking powder has baking soda – thanks for reminding me!

You’re such an amazing, creative mom! I love all the activities you come up with to teach your kids throughout every day!

Really cool! Very curious and had to look into it a little. Looks like baking soda reacts with acids. Iodine must be somewhat acidic…

Thanks, Ann!

Funny, I accidentally did one part of your experiment when I was preparing our traditional gargle solution for Lars (he has a sore throat). Usually it’s soda, salt and iodine, but accidentally I put a baking powder instead. I didn’t see the bubbling, but my gargle turned purple. I was thinking of doing this experiment with Anna, since it’s very cool indeed.

I think Anna would really enjoy this experiment! Another commenter as well as one of my IRL friend reminded me that baking powder has baking soda in it (don’t know how I forgot that!) and that is probably why it is bubbling – the iodine must be slightly acidic? The bubbling was very slight, so you might not see it in a solution.

Just found you site and this stuff is right up my kids alley. My 11 year old is a science nut, she loves experiments.

I bet that was so cool for the kids to see the changes right before their eyes!

They loved it!

How interesting! I had no idea iodine reacts with starch. Love following along with you guys as you learn new things. :)

I did not know about this iodine and starch experiment! Thanks for sharing:)

Great experiment! They look very interested!

Your such a good mom! You kids get experiences in all aspects…experiments…sewing…art..outdoor adventures! Amazing!

We tried the iodine and starch thing when we did the murder mystery and it is so cool. I bet most of the foods I love have starch.

Great experiment! I love Lily’s expression in the first and last pictures.

She was fascinated – and perplexed =)

Comments are closed.

Imagination Station will be OPEN on Independence Day

Thursday, July 4, from 10-5pm

Iodine Clock Reaction

Try an at home version of this experiment using a few things you may have in your bathroom medicine cabinet. In may ways this experiment feels almost like magic. Two colorless liquids are mixed together and after a few moments the mixture turns a dark blue color. There are actually a couple of simple chemical reactions going on at the same time to make this “clock reaction” occur. This version of the classic “iodine clock reaction” uses safe household chemicals most people have on hand at home.

What you need:

• distilled water (tap water will work OK as well)
• a couple plastic cups
• 1000 mg vitamin C tablets
• tincture of iodine (2%)
• hydrogen peroxide (3%)
• liquid laundry starch

What to do:

• Make a vitamin C solution by crushing a 1000 mg vitamin C tablet and dissolving it in 2 oz of water. Label this as “vitamin C stock solution”.
• Combine 1 tsp of the vitamin C stock solution with 1 tsp of iodine and 2 oz of water. Label this “solution A”.
• Prepare “solution B” by adding 2 oz of water to 3 tsp of hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 tsp of liquid starch solution.
• Pour solution A into solution B, and pour the resulting solution back into the empty cup to mix them thoroughly. Keep pouring the liquid back and fourth between the cups.

What’s going on?

There are actually two chemical reactions going on at the same time when you combine the solutions. During these reactions two forms of iodine created – the elemental form and the ion form.

In Reaction # 1 iodide ions react with hydrogen peroxide to produce iodine element which is blue in the presence of starch. BUT, before that can actually happen, the Vitamin C quickly reacts and consumes the elemental iodine.

The net result, at least for part of the time is that the solution remains colorless with excess of iodide ions being present. Now after a short time as the reactions keep proceeding in this fashion, the Vitamin C gets gradually used up. Once the Vitamin C is used up, the solution turns blue, because now the iodine element and starch are present.

Safety Precautions

Be careful when working with the iodine – it stains, and it stains really well. Be very careful not to spill any of the solution.

Waste Disposal

Dig deeper into the science behind clock reactions in  this paper  from the Journal of Chemical Education.

How Can Diffusion Be Observed? - Bio 1

Introduction: In this lab, you will observe the diffusion of a substance across a semipermeable membrane. Iodine is a known indicator for starch. An indicator is a substance that changes color in the presence of the substance it indicates. Watch as your teacher demonstrates how iodine changes in the presence of starch.

Prelab Observations: Describe what happened when iodine came into contact with starch.

• Fill a plastic baggie with a teaspoon of cornstarch and a half a cup of water tie bag. (This may already have been done for you)
• Fill a beaker halfway with water and add ten drops of iodine.
• Place the baggie in the cup so that the cornstarch mixture is submerged in the iodine water mixture.
• Wait fifteen minutes and record your observations in the data table
• While you are waiting, answer the questions.

1. Define diffusion. ______________________________________________

2. Define osmosis. ____________________________________

3. Why is iodine called an indicator? _____________________________________________

4. Molecules tend to move from areas of _______ concentration to areas of ______ concentration.

What's in the Bag?

We're going to think about concentrations now, which substances are more or less concentrated depends on which one has the most stuff in it.

1. Which is more concentrated in starch? [ beaker / baggie ]

2. Which is more concentrated in iodine? [ beaker / baggie ]

3. With regard to iodine, which is hypertonic? [ beaker / baggie ]

4. With regard to starch, which is hypertonic? [ beaker / baggie ]

Make Predictions:

1. If the bag is permeable to starch, which way would the starch move? [ into bag / out of bag ]

2. If the bag is permeable to iodine, which way would the iodine move? [ into bag / out of bag ]

3. If the bag is permeable to iodine, what color would you expect it to change? [ orange / purple / no change ]

What about the solution in the beaker? [ orange / purple / no change ]

4. If the bag is permeable to starch, what color would you expect it to change? [ orange / purple / no change ]

Observations:

Write your observations in the table below:

Post Lab Analysis

1. Based on your observations, which substance moved, the iodine or the starch?

2. How did you determine this?

3. The plastic baggie was permeable to which substance?

4. Explain how the bag is a model for the cell.

5. Sketch the cup and baggie in the space below. Use arrows to illustrate how diffusion occurred in this lab.

6. What would happen if you did an experiment in which the iodine solution was placed in the baggie, and the starch solution was in the beaker? Be detailed in your description.

7. Why is it not a good idea to store iodine in a plastic bag? Related Documents:

Other Resources on Cell Transport

Observe Diffusion in a Bag - Intro biology, same lab with simplified directions and questions Transport Across the Cell Membrane - simple diagram shows how molecules enter the cell through diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and osmosis Investigation: Why Are Cells So Small? - use bromothymol blue and agar to model how diffusion occurs in cells Observing Osmosis - use an egg, vinegar, corn syrup, will take a few days

whiteknight83

Um i'm not sure what to call this, tuesday, october 11, 2011, diffusion lab: corn starch and iodine, no comments:, post a comment.

Identifying Unknown Substances Physical Science Lab

• Terrie Schultz
• Categories : Lesson plans for middle school science
• Tags : Teaching middle school grades 6 8

Students will test four unknown substances (baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch and powdered sugar) and determine the identity of the substances based on how they react with iodine and vinegar.

When iodine is added, there are two possible outcomes:

• the substance will react with the iodine and turn blue/black
• the substance will not react with the iodine, and the iodine will simply stain it brown

When vinegar is added, there are two possible outcomes:

• the substance will react with the vinegar and produce gas bubbles
• the substance will not react with the vinegar, and will simply become wet and dissolve

Students will determine the identity of the substances based on the following information:

Baking powder: vinegar causes bubbles, iodine turns blue/black

Baking soda: vinegar causes bubbles, iodine does not react

Cornstarch: vinegar does not cause bubbles, iodine turns blue/black

Powdered sugar: vinegar does not cause bubbles, iodine does not react

White vinegar

Baking powder

Baking soda

Powdered sugar

Ice cube trays

Plastic spoons

Plastic or paper cups

Dropper bottles with lids, or small containers and eye droppers

Label 8 sections of each ice cube tray as follows: Iodine 1, Iodine 2, Iodine 3, Iodine 4, and Vinegar 1, Vinegar 2, Vinegar 3, Vinegar 4

Ahead of time, place the baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch and powdered sugar into plastic or paper cups and label them Unknown 1, Unknown 2, Unknown 3, and Unknown 4. Make a key for which unknown is which substance, but keep the identities hidden from the students. Keep the unknowns at the front of the classroom and have a student from each group come up and place about half a teaspoon of each unknown into the specified section of the ice cube tray. Students should have two samples of each unknown in the ice cube tray, one to test with vinegar and one to test with iodine.

Caution students to take care not to spill or mix up the samples, and do not taste any samples under any circumstances.

Supply each group with a dropper bottle of iodine and a dropper bottle of vinegar.

Students will add 2-3 drops of vinegar to one sample of each unknown and record the results as “bubbles” or “no bubbles.”

Students will add 2-3 drops of iodine to the other sample of each unknown and record the results as “turned black” or “did not turn black.”

Caution students to be careful not to spill the iodine, it may stain clothing.

When students have completed the experiment and recorded their results, have them rinse out and dry the ice cube trays.

Results and Conclusion

Based on the observed data, students will identify the four unknown mystery substances.

Vinegar bubbles and Iodine turned black = baking powder

Vinegar bubbles and Iodine did not turn black = baking soda

Vinegar no bubbles and Iodine turned black = cornstarch

Vinegar no bubbles and Iodine did not turn black = powdered sugar

Have students answer the following question:

Why was it necessary to use more than one chemical reaction to identify the unknowns?

Answer: One reaction does not give us enough information to differentiate between all four unknowns; we won’t be able to tell the substances apart because more than one will have similar results.

Gelfand Center

Suspicious groceries: teacher's notes, equipment and reagents.

• Jars for white powders
• Plastic sheet protectors for data sheets (or laminated data sheets)
• Dropper bottles for reagents
• Straw "Scoops"
• Litmus Paper
• Stirring rods (coffee stirrers)
• Safety glasses
• Deionized water
• Corn starch
• Baking soda
• Powdered sugar
• Cream of tartar
• Calcium carbonate (chalk)

SOLUTION PREPARATION

Vinegar - Purchase white vinegar in the grocery store (5% acetic acid). Iodine - Purchase iodine in a drug or grocery store and dilute 1 to 10 with deionized water.

This experiment makes use of standardized tests for acids, bases, and starches to determine the identities of unknown white powders.  All of the powders are common household items, even the calcium carbonate, commonly known as chalk. White blackboard chalk can be finely ground and used for the experiment.

Expected results and the key to matching the drug name to the powder used are listed in the following table.  (-) notes a negative test result. See also the photo in the lab introduction page .

Test Results

Any of the powders can be chosen as the unknown.  Corn starch and baking soda have the most dramatic positive results.  Only the calcium carbonate vinegar is subtle and must be carefully observed.  Students should be told to look closely at the liquid on the plastic sheet.  The tiny bubbles generated have a tendency to adhere to the plastic instead of foaming up like the baking soda-vinegar reaction.  Unknowns can be put into numbered zip-lock bags for distribution to the individual students or groups.

Sample scoops are made out of plastic drinking straws.  Cut each one into 3 pieces and then trim one end about 1/2 inch on a diagonal.  Coffee stirrers can be used as stirring rods to mix the solutions if necessary.  Often the liquids do not spread out very well on the powders.

Litmus paper should be of the type that indicates both acids and bases.  This is usually called litmus neutral.

While these test procedures can be done by even the youngest students, they may not understand the chemistry that is taking place.  This lab can be used to introduce them to the concepts of standardized tests and acids, bases, and starches. Upper level students can be required to explain the chemical reactions once the teacher reveals the actual composition of the powders. Equations for the positive test reactions are given at the end of this section.

Additional activities can include predicting the results of the same tests on other common "white powders", and  testing food items for starch. Suggestions include pasta, potatoes, seeds, nuts, dairy products, and vegetables. Also include some non-food items like inexpensive paper plates and plain writing paper which are often stiffened with starch.

POSITIVE REACTIONS

Preface for Teachers

Safety in the Classroom

Introduction to Super Sleuths

Laboratory Safety

A Case of Product Tampering

• Procedure and Clean-Up
• Teacher's Notes

Who Wrote the Note?

The Case of the Lipstick Litter

Suspicious Groceries

Whose Blood is it?

• Alternate Experiment

The Jewelry Store Robbery

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🧪 Science with Sarah: Oobleck Slime at Reaching Maximum Independence ⚗️🧫

Make a type of slime that acts as both a solid and a liquid.

Sarah Spivey , KSAT Weather Authority Meteorologist

Ben Spicer , Digital Journalist

David Sears , Anchor/Reporter

Robert Samarron , Photojournalist

👉 Watch the video of Sarah’s science experiment here!

Hello parents, teachers and students! If you’re looking for fun way to explore states of matter and solubility this experiment is for you! Today we’re doing a fun sensory experiment with the folks at Reaching Maximum Independence -- a local non-profit which helps people with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities live life to their fullest potential!

Be sure to check out GMSA@9 on Wednesdays when Meteorologist Sarah Spivey does the demonstrations and explains the science behind it.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• A large container
• 2 cup corn starch
• 1 cup water
• Food dye (optional)

MAKE THE OOBLECK

• STEP 1: Measure out 1/2 cup of water and add the food dye to the water
• STEP 2: In the large container, place 1 cup of cornstarch
• STEP 3: Pour the colored water into the large container with the cornstarch and mix using your hands (NOTE: This will be messy! Make sure to have plenty of paper towels nearby and maybe use an apron to cover your clothes!)
• STEP 4: Try compressing the oobleck in your hands into a ball. Observe how it quickly “melts” into a liquid.
• STEP 5: You can store your oobleck in the fridge to use for later. When you’re ready to dispose of your oobleck, throw it away in the trash. Large amounts of cornstarch should not go down pipes.

HOW IT WORKS

Because cornstarch is not totally soluble in water, it can make a non-Newtonian fluid when combined with water.

A non-Newtonian fluid does not follow Newton’s laws of viscosity. That may be a mouthful, but basically oobleck it is a fluid that can exist both as a solid and a liquid depending on how much force you use!

Copyright 2022 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

About the Authors

Sarah spivey.

Sarah Spivey is a San Antonio native who grew up watching KSAT. She has been a proud member of the KSAT Weather Authority Team since 2017. Sarah is a Clark High School and Texas A&M University graduate. She previously worked at KTEN News. When Sarah is not busy forecasting, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and cat, and playing music.

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.

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June 18, 2024

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

trusted source

Researchers invent 100% biodegradable 'barley plastic'

by University of Copenhagen

A biofriendly new material made from barley starch blended with fiber from sugarbeet waste—a strong material that turns into compost should it end up in nature—has been created at the University of Copenhagen. In the long term, the researchers hope that their invention can help put the brakes on plastic pollution while reducing the climate footprint of plastic production.

Enormous islands of plastic float in our oceans and microscopic particles of it are in our bodies. The durability, malleability and low cost of plastics has made them ubiquitous, from packaging to clothing to aircraft parts. But plastics have a downside. Plastics contaminate nature, are tough to recycle and their production emits more CO 2 than all air traffic combined.

Now, researchers at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences have invented a new material made from modified starch that can completely decompose in nature—and do so within only two months. The material is made using natural plant material from crops and could be used for food packaging, among many other things.

"We have an enormous problem with our plastic waste that recycling seems incapable of solving. Therefore, we've developed a new type of bioplastic that is stronger and can better withstand water than current bioplastics. At the same time, our material is 100% biodegradable and can be converted into compost by microorganisms if it ends up somewhere other than a bin," says Professor Andreas Blennow of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences.

Only about 9% of plastic is recycled globally, with the rest being either incinerated or winding up in nature or dumped into enormous plastic landfills.

Bioplastics already exist, but the name is misleading says Blennow. While today's bioplastics are made of bio-derived materials, only a limited part of them is actually degradable, and only under special conditions in industrial composting plants.

"I don't find the name suitable because the most common types of bioplastics don't break down that easily if tossed into nature. The process can take many years and some of it continues to pollute as microplastic. Specialized facilities are needed to break down bioplastics. And even then, a very limited part of them can be recycled, with the rest ending up as waste," says the researcher.

Starch from barley and sugar industry waste

The new material is a so-called biocomposite and composed of several different substances that decompose naturally. Its main ingredients, amylose and cellulose, are common across the plant kingdom. Amylose is extracted from many crops including corn, potatoes, wheat and barley.

Together with researchers from Aarhus University, the research team founded a spinoff company in which they developed a barley variety that produces pure amylose in its kernels. This new variety is important because pure amylose is far less likely to turn into a paste when it interacts with water compared to regular starch.

Cellulose is a carbohydrate found in all plants and we know it from cotton and linen fibers, as well as from wood and paper products. The cellulose used by the researchers is a so-called nanocellulose made from local sugar industry waste. And these nanocellulose fibers, which are one thousand times smaller than the fibers of linen and cotton, are what contribute to the material's mechanical strength.

"Amylose and cellulose form long, strong molecular chains. Combining them has allowed us to create a durable, flexible material that has the potential to be used for shopping bags and the packaging of goods that we now wrap in plastic," says Blennow.

The new biomaterial is produced by either dissolving the raw materials in water and mixing them together or by heating them under pressure. By doing so, small "pellets" or chips are created that can then be processed and compressed into a desired form.

Thus far, the researchers have only produced prototypes in the laboratory. But according to Blennow, getting production started in Denmark and many other places in the world would be relatively easy.

"The entire production chain of amylose-rich starch already exists. Indeed, millions of tons of pure potato and corn starch are produced every year and used by the food industry and elsewhere. Therefore, easy access to the majority of our ingredients is guaranteed for the large-scale production of this material," he says.

Could reduce plastic problem

Blennow and his fellow researchers are now processing a patent application that, once it has been approved, could pave the way for production of the new biocomposite material. Because, despite the huge sums of money being devoted to sorting and recycling our plastic, the researcher does not believe that it will really be a success. Doing so should be seen as a transitional technology until we bid fossil-based plastics a final farewell.

"Recycling plastic efficiently is anything but straightforward. Different things in plastics must be separated from each other and there are major differences between plastic types, meaning that the process must be done in a safe way so that no contaminants end up in the recycled plastic .

"At the same time, countries and consumers must sort their plastic. This is a massive task that I don't see us succeeding at. Instead, we should rethink things in terms of utilizing new materials that perform like plastic, but don't pollute the planet," says Blennow.

The researcher is already collaborating with two Danish packaging companies to develop prototypes for food packaging, among other things. He envisions many other uses for the material as well, such as for the interior trims of cars by the automotive industry. Though it is difficult to say when this biofriendly barley-based plastic will reach the shelves, the researcher predicts that the new material may become a reality in the foreseeable future.

"It's quite close to the point where we can really start producing prototypes in collaboration with our research team and companies. I think it's realistic that different prototypes in soft and hard packaging, such as trays, bottles and bags, will be developed within one to five years," concludes Blennow.

Provided by University of Copenhagen

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