How to make a lava lamp at home? How to make a lava lamp with your own hands How to make an endless source of lava in minecraft.

Dear friends! I am glad to welcome you to the pages of our website.

In the “Experiments” section we collect descriptions of experiments that interested us. If you have not visited us before, then you are welcome to our small laboratory! We are Mama Galya and Vladushka!

Today we invite you to make a “Lava Lamp” with us. And not just to make, but with its help to study some of the physical properties of substances. For example, the density and shape of liquids. I do not offer complex theoretical material - Vladka is not interested in it. We will touch science with our hands! Let's get started?

To make your own lava lamp you will need:

• Clean plastic bottle or a beautiful jar (0.5-1 l)
• Funnel for liquid
• Vegetable oil
• Food coloring (you can use brilliant green)
• Effervescent tablet (for example Aspirin Upsa)
• Flashlight

Let's get started?

1. Fill the bottle or jar ½ full with water. It is interesting to use not only transparent jars and bottles, but also, for example, a bottle made of colored plastic. In our case, this is a green bottle. Don't take containers that are too large. It turns out more beautiful in narrow bottles. If there are no suitable jars, you can make it in a glass.
2. Add dye. You can use brilliant green as a dye. The color turns out to be a soft blue, which contrasts well with yellow oils Particularly creative experimenters can use juice instead of water!
3. Fill the jar to the brim, adding vegetable oil. You can experiment with the volume of oil: pour more into one bottle, less into another.
4. Break the effervescent tablet into 4 parts. Dip one piece of the tablet into water and observe the result.
5. To enhance the effect, turn off the lights and illuminate the bottle with a flashlight. It turns out interesting if you put a phone with a flashlight on under the bottle.
6. You can restart the lamp by throwing another piece of effervescent tablet into the water.
7. Experiment with different colors dye, shapes of cans and bottles.
8. You can add glitter or sequins to the jar. We had grown hydrogel balls that funnily tumbled around in a homemade lava lamp.

Why is this happening?

Oil and water do not mix because they have different densities. When we pour it into a bottle, the oil simply spreads over the water under the influence of gravity. After adding the effervescent tablet, changes begin. The tablet reacts with water to form bubbles carbon dioxide which begin to rise to the surface. These bubbles mix the water and oil. And we see balls of oil bubbling in the liquid.

I wonder why exactly balls and not cubes or pyramids? We conducted an experiment to determine the shape of a liquid located in another liquid. Although we have observed many times in nature that natural shape liquid is a sphere. For example, a drop of water in flight or on a non-wettable surface.

A lava lamp is not only a visual demonstration of some physical properties substances. But also a great toy for children. And designer decoration for a children's room. Send photos of your “lava lamps” and tell us in the comments what you remember about the density experiment. And in order for exciting experiments and research to continue in your laboratory, please accept a gift from me. COLLECTION of tricks and experiments with WATER. Have fun learning science. After all, science is fun!

Happy experimenting! Science is fun!

DIY magic lava lamps

The Lava Lamp will be a great gift for people who value originality, creativity and practicality. This is an amazing piece of furniture, often used in the form of a beautiful decorative lamp, which children, mothers and romantic natures will be very happy about. It is interesting to watch the lamp as liquids move and an unusual effect is obtained, both under artificial and daylight. The play of light in such a lighting device is mesmerizing and calming.

Types of lamps

Operation of a decorative lamp

A lava lamp is an oblong glass bulb. It contains a magical solution of bright liquids and solid particles. Sometimes these magic lamps have sparkles in them. When the lava lamp is turned on, the solution inside heats up, resulting in the movement of these particles, which create an indescribable impression of an interesting dance.

The process of this magical device is based on the following principle: inside glass flask 2 different liquids are placed. They do not mix with each other: one liquid per water based, and the second - on oil based. The bulb is connected to a base into which an incandescent lamp is inserted. As a result, the mixture is illuminated through the bottom and heats the liquids, which affect their density.

The oil-based mixture expands and rises when heated. Thus, large bubbles form in the lava lamp. The solution, rising closer to the surface, cools and descends to the bottom of the lamp. This is the principle of the movement of bubbles in a lava lamp.

This result was given a name: lava effect. Thus, the name of the device itself appeared - lava lamp.

Decorative product and its components

glass flask;

liquids: paraffin and glycerin;

incandescent lamp under the cylinder;

base (in which the base and incandescent lamp are located);

decorative lid (to prevent liquids from leaking out).

Using a magic device

The product is easy to use - plug it into a power outlet and the incandescent lamp will heat the contents in it. The lamp can be used continuously for 6-10 hours. If you notice that the oil contents begin to settle at the bottom of the cylinder or the bubbles are too small, then the device overheats. Unplug it from the outlet for an hour to allow the device inside to cool down.

Correct Use:

installing the device on a flat surface;

installing an incandescent lamp in the center;

room temperature 20-25 degrees (if possible) low temperature- paraffin will not heat up);

lamp operating time is up to 10 hours, maximum 20 hours, but overheating will be visible even to the naked eye;

cleaning the outside of the flask soft cloth;

warming up the device every 2 months;

replacing burnt out light bulbs with A-15(40) watt light bulbs.

Advantages and functions of a lava lamp

The device performs the following functions:

a piece of interior;

lighting device (table or floor lamp).

Most often, the device is purchased for interior decoration and entertainment. Also, as a night light, it perfectly performs its functions (illumination area is about 2-3 meters).

Advantages:

practicality - care is simple and does not require much time;

originality - surprise with an unusual product;

versatility – interesting for both adults and children.

These qualities give lava lamp a gift for all occasions. Such a device is given as a birthday gift, March 8th, New Year, and will also look great on an office desk.

DIY lava lamp

Let's make a magic lamp at home. It’s not a fact, of course, that it will turn out like a store-bought lamp, but you can try.

The first method is a DIY oil lamp

To make a lava lamp you will need the following materials:

a cylindrical glass vessel with a tight-fitting lid;

base (metal, wood or plastic);

light bulb 25W;

light bulb socket;

castor oil;

alcohol (90-96 degrees);

a dye that is soluble in fat, but not soluble in alcohol and water (for example, artistic oil paints are suitable).

Manufacturing process

The base of a lava lamp can be made of any material and any shape. A glass vessel and a light bulb are attached to the base. Drill several holes on the sides to cool the device.

First, take a cylinder of clear oil (after adding oil to it) and color this liquid. Then add water and alcohol. Pour the colored liquid into a glass container with water and alcohol. Leave the top of the vessel a little empty (it will fill when the liquid expands from heating). If the fatty liquid immediately floats, change the density of the liquid, which is water-based, by adding a little alcohol.

Let's start testing the device. Check that electric lamp heated the bottom of the glass cylinder. If necessary, add water or alcohol. When alcohol is added, the density of the aqueous solution decreases, and when water is added, the density increases. Wait for the lamp to work, and then seal the lid tightly in the product with glue.

All that remains is to assemble the remaining parts and insert the glass vessel into the base. Turn on the magic lamp! Its glow is truly a magical sight. Large bright bubbles move and form in a transparent vessel, creating a play of light.

The second method is with your own paraffin

Necessary materials for making a lamp:

cylindrical glass vessel;

liquid (will do plain water);

vegetable oil;

liquid paraffin or wax;

light and small multi-colored objects;

small crystals (for example, salt or sugar crystals);

electric light bulb.

Progress

Pour water halfway into a glass container. Add a little paraffin and small colored objects. Pour oil into this mixture and wait until the water and oil separate from each other. Then add a little (about a pinch) of crystals to the flask. Place the cylinder on the switched on lighting device and watch how the light bulb heats up and illuminates. The impression from the glow of the lamp is amazing. Bubbles in a glass cylinder become interesting in shape and size.

Explanation: when you first warm up the device, it takes 2-3 hours for the paraffin to warm up properly. If paraffin sticks to the walls or bottom of the flask (after 1-1.5 hours), you need to carefully rotate the product around its axis several times.

The peculiarity of this desktop or floor lamp such that at temperatures of 20 degrees and above, liquid paraffin drowns in oil. And when paraffin is heated, it becomes softer and lighter. The temperature in the flask itself is unstable, the paraffin floats up in a chaotic manner and hardens closer to the top of the vessel. This results in a slow movement of paraffin or wax along the cylinder.

How to make a lava lamp - video

And another way to make a magic lamp

Lava lamp manufacturers and models

Manufacturer Alive Lighting

Model - UNO Volcano:

flask - high-strength glass;

bulb type: R39(E14) 40W;

overall size products - 75 cm.

The glass cylinder is shaped like molten wax. The improved formula of this lighting device prevents it from overheating. This model is actually a floor lamp.

Model - Slim Noir:

flask - high-strength glass;

base and top cap - metal;

bulb type: R39(E14) 30W;

The total size of the lamp is 34 cm.

This model has a universal and strict design, which consists of a white stand and black paraffin.

Model - Tube Passion:

flask - high-strength glass;

base and top cap - metal;

bulb type: R39(E14) 30W;

The total size of the device is 38 cm.

This lava lamp also has a minimalist design, but the red paraffin color gives it a striking quality. The lamp will look original in the interior of the kitchen and living room.

Manufacturer Mathmos

Model - Lavalamp Astro:

flask - high-strength glass;

base and top cap - metal;

bulb type: R39(E14) 30W;

the total size of the product is 43 cm.

In this model, the bulb is removed, new colors appear once a quarter, which will make it possible to consistently receive new option lamp

Model - FireFlow O1:

flask - high-strength glass;

base and top cap - metal;

bulb type: R39(E14) 30W;

The total size of the device is 27 cm.

The device is powered by a candle, which is a know-how in the field of similar lamps. The design of this product is high-tech, the flask can be changed, the duration of non-stop operation is 3 hours, it is reliable in use.

Other manufacturers

These manufacturers have only one product in their range.

Manufacturer Orient

Model - PUL1020:

flask - high-strength glass;

base and top cap - metal;

bulb type: R39(E14) 30W;

The total size of the lamp is 20 cm.

A Russian manufacturer that makes flasks containing glitter so that they shimmer when turned on.

Manufacturer Start

Model - Start Lava:

flask - high-strength glass;

base and top cap - metal;

bulb type: R39(E14) 30W;

the total size of the product is 40 cm.

The advantage of this lava lamp is its low price.

Manufacturer Winmaxent

flask - high-strength glass;

base and top cap - metal;

bulb type: R39(E14) 30W;

The total size of the device is 37 cm.

A Chinese-made lamp that does not have any special features, but is quite suitable for the bedroom and living room.

Lava lamp is a universal lamp or night light-relaxator. Turn on the magic lamp and enjoy its unusual effects!

Remember - this lamp should be done under adult supervision. The alcohol and oil used in the lamp are highly flammable, and care must be taken when heating them to set the lava in motion. If you are a child, you should not try to make the lamp yourself - show this tutorial to an adult and ask for their help.

• Factory lava lamps use a proprietary blend of liquid waxes. It is impossible to achieve a similar effect in a homemade lamp, but with good design your “lava” will flow almost as beautifully from bottom to top and back.

Take a glass container. Any clean one will do glass containers, which can be closed and shaken a little. Glass withstands high temperature much better than plastic, so it is more suitable for a lava lamp.

Pour a small cup of mineral or baby oil into the container. This will serve as material for the rising and falling "lava" bubbles. The amount of oil does not matter, since it can always be added to the lamp.

• It's best to start with regular oil, but if you want a colored "lava" you can use oil paints. Keep in mind that over time, the coloring may separate from the oil and accumulate at the top or bottom of the container.

Add a mixture of 70 percent rubbing alcohol, 90 percent isopropyl alcohol and water. Both types of alcohol can be purchased at the pharmacy. If the proper proportions are observed, the density of the mixture will be close to that of mineral oil. For this:

Place the jar on a secure, thin stand. Before moving the jar, close the lid tightly. Place the jar on a stable, heat-resistant surface, such as flower pot, turned upside down. There should be enough space below the surface to fit a small lamp.

Install a heat source. Once you have almost equalized the density of the oil and alcohol mixture, all you need to do is add a heat source under the lava lamp. When heated, substances expand, with oil expanding slightly more than the surrounding alcohol. As a result, the oil floats up, cools there, contracting, and sinks to the bottom again. So let's get started:

• Select your incandescent lamp carefully. For a jar of no more than 350 milliliters, use a 15-watt bulb for sewing machine. To heat a larger jar, use a 30- or 40-watt light bulb; Do not use more powerful light bulbs as the glass jar may overheat and melt.
• Screw your chosen light bulb into a small spotlight so that it shines upward.
• To better control the light intensity of the light bulb and the heat it generates, connect a rheostat to it.

Wait for the lava lamp to warm up. Some lamps require a couple of hours to warm up, but a homemade lamp usually requires less time. Every 15 minutes, touch the jar with your palm wrapped in cloth. The walls of the jar should become warm, but not scalding hot. If the jar gets too hot, immediately turn off the light bulb and replace it with a less powerful one.

• Try gently rotating the heating jar while wrapping your hands in a cloth or wearing oven mitts.
• When leaving, do not leave the light bulb on; After several hours of operation, turn off the light bulb and allow it to cool.

Creation home comfort and comfort are inextricably linked with the interior items surrounding our living space. One of these products is an original piece of furniture – a lava lamp. Such devices create a beautiful ambience, add zest, decorating the everyday life of our life. This is a decorative lamp based on the movement of liquid. Everyone is interested in observing how glycerin and paraffin move under the influence of constantly changing temperature conditions under rays of light of different colors. Lamps create a special atmosphere in the bedroom, children's room, and living room.

History of origin

The lava lamp was invented by English engineer Edward Craven Walker in the 1960s. Its production was established in Poole, UK. At the Brussels Fair in 1965, the glow of the device was seen by famous entrepreneurs Adolf Wertheimer and Hy Spektor. They bought the rights to sell the product in America, which they called Lava Lite. Wertheimer subsequently retired from this business.

Edward Craven Walker's first lava lamp samples

Spector, on the contrary, began to actively develop production, as well as sales of lamps at own factory in Chicago. There are new colors, manufacturing technologies, many design options. The 70-80s of the last century were marked by the fact that ownership of these devices became all the rage. Fans of lamps really liked the warm, original glow. They were called Lava Lamp. These devices are very popular among residents of America and Europe.

After the 90s production original lamps moved to China. Soon after, Walker, who owned the rights to his invention throughout the UK and Western Europe, sold them to Cressida Granger. Her company Mathmos has been successfully producing these products in Poole (UK) to this day. The production of lamps has returned to where it began. This device has been recognized as the most spectacular decoration home interior.

Operating principle

Let's consider the design of the device. The sealed container is filled with two dissimilar substances - paraffin, which has a semi-liquid state, and glycerin. At natural conditions and regular room temperature paraffin sinks in glycerin. An incandescent lamp located on the lower flange of the base of the device heats the layers of the substance to the desired temperature.

When the lamp is turned on, the paraffin softens due to heat. It becomes lighter, as a result of which it slowly moves up the cylinder of the device body. Change process temperature regime carried out unevenly. As the temperature fluctuates, the paraffin floats up chaotically. Moving towards the surface of the liquid, it moves away from light and heat.

Schematic diagram functioning of lava lamp

Having reached the surface, the paraffin hardens, stops moving, and then slowly sinks. Being near the bottom, from light bulb device it heats up again. The whole process is repeated again. Air bubbles throughout the thickness of the multi-colored illuminated liquid are formed with at different speeds, mix, take on bizarre shapes and sizes.

The lava lamp has gained immense popularity among aesthetes all over the world. It is now sold in every gift shop on the planet. Often used instead of paraffin natural wax.

Color options lava lamps

This product is an indispensable attribute of every children's bedroom. The illuminated layers move slowly, smoothly and beautifully along the transparent cylinder of the flask, reminiscent of multi-colored volcanic lava. Contemplating the spectacle of the lava working, a person plunges into a state of relaxation. At the same time, his body cells relax as much as possible, and the body gets the opportunity good rest, charging with positive energy for the future.

The light bulb that illuminates the moving masses of paraffin along with glycerin can be of different power. The main requirement is to calculate its characteristics so as to prevent the ignition of nearby objects. When lava functions, the entire interior space of the room comes to life. All surrounding objects become fabulous, shimmering with various exotic colors.

Large table lava lamp

How to make it yourself

To understand how to make a lava lamp with your own hands at home, you need to return to its structure. The device invented by Walker was glass jar filled with liquid oil mixed with paraffin. An ordinary light bulb mounted under the tank heated the mixture. According to physical laws, paraffin rushed upward. Having reached the top, it cooled down and sank.

Expert opinion

Alexey Bartosh

Specialist in repair and maintenance of electrical equipment and industrial electronics.

Ask a question to an expert

Modern development of science and technology makes it possible to produce such lamps with my own hands from commercially available materials. There are two ways for home craftsmen to develop such devices. The first way is an electric lava lamp. The second option is to make it from juice, pop, vegetable oil. Let's look at both manufacturing methods in detail.

Electric lava lamp

Necessary preparations:

• vertical cylinder made of transparent plastic;
• filling mixture to create visual effects.

Secure the incandescent light bulb under the plastic cylinder. Pour a mixture of glycerin and semi-liquid paraffin into a vertical cylinder. The rays of the light source illuminate the drops of the mixture inside the cylinder, which slowly move and dance, creating a bizarre play of figures. In the included lava, the temperature difference between the upper and lower layers of the mixture is several degrees.

Making an electric lava lamp at home

Thanks to this difference, the oil balls slowly float, waltz, and roll inside the liquid substance. From the heat lighting element they rise and then, when cooled, fall. This repeats endlessly. A wide range of such lamps is presented in online stores. There are designs of the most different forms, colors, configurations: rocket, tree, house, ball, pyramid, trapezoid.

Made from juice, pop and vegetable oil

Ingredients:

• liquid oil – sunflower, olive, corn;
• food coloring or fruit/vegetable juice;
• transparent jar;
• any effervescent tablet.

The jar is filled with juice to two-thirds of its volume. The remaining volume is filled with liquid oil. When the liquids settle, it will appear clear boundary between them. Now you need to throw an effervescent tablet into the jar. The effect is incredible! The liquid becomes alive. It seethes, pulsates, bubbles appear different colors, shape, size. Watching this process is a real pleasure.

Lava lamp made from juice, pop and vegetable oil

There is no person in the world who would not sometimes like to relax, forget about pressing problems, and look at something pleasant and calming. But it’s rare to sit by the fire, looking at the fire, or think about the meaning of life while listening to the sound of a waterfall. As it turns out, there is an item on store shelves that has a calming function, it’s called a “lava lamp.”

Surely someone has seen similar devices on sale, but the price is a little confusing. It makes sense to figure out whether it is possible to make such a device at home with your own hands.

Design and manufacturing capability

This device was invented in the mid-60s by the Englishman Walker, and was a glass jar containing oil and liquid paraffin. A simple light bulb was installed under it, which heated the container. According to the laws of physics, heated paraffin rose to the top, and when it cooled, it sank to the bottom again. This is a fascinating movement fancy shapes paraffin and gave rise to the widespread use of lava lamps.

So, if even in the middle of the last century it was possible to make such a device, then it shouldn’t be difficult to make a lava lamp with your own hands at home these days?

Temporary Lava Lamp

So, for production we will need some ingredients:

• olive or sunflower oil;
• any coloring, preferably food coloring, but even regular juice will do;
• jar;
• effervescent tablet (any).

How to make a lava lamp at home is a question with a simple answer. You just need to fill the container two-thirds with juice or dye, the remaining part is filled with sunflower or olive oil. After some time, you can see a clear boundary between the liquids. All that remains is to throw a tablet of effervescence into the jar and watch what is happening, enjoying the incredible effect in the resulting device.

This method is completely safe, and therefore it can be used in educational games with children, while explaining the laws of physics. By the way, if there are no effervescent tablets, ordinary table salt will play their role perfectly, although the reaction will be somewhat slower, but still quite sufficient.

For a stronger effect, it is possible to use a lamp directed at the lamp. Then the fancy bubbles that arise will sparkle in the rays of light, which will add even more beauty.

Temporary Lava Lamp

Permanent lava lamp

Of course, a temporary lava lamp is completely safe, but you always want something more. In this case, you can make such a device yourself on an ongoing basis. But you should always remember about safety precautions when using it; such a lamp must be kept out of the reach of small children, since during operation it gets very hot.

So, to make a lamp with your own hands, you will need a mixture of distilled water and glycerin at the rate of 1/1, paraffin candle, some beads and a glass container.

The jar must be filled 2/3 with water and glycerin, stir a spoon in it table salt and add some beads. After this, the candle is melted in a water bath and paraffin is poured into the jar. The lava lamp is almost ready, all that remains is to build a heater for it.

Any one can serve as such metal structure with a 25 watt light inside that can serve as a can burner. Well, then you can turn it on and enjoy. A do-it-yourself lava lamp is ready, but there are some nuances to such a device.

Firstly, the lamp needs some time for the expected reaction to appear, since the paraffin must melt in the glycerin.

Secondly, under no circumstances should such a situation be left homemade device unattended, as well as keeping it turned on for more than eight hours.

DIY permanent lava lamp

Making a lava lamp is quite simple and a lot of fun, so it's worth a try. The main thing is not to forget about safety precautions so that joy does not one day turn into trouble. Well, in general, it doesn’t matter whether you bought a lava lamp in a store or made it at home. The priority is peace and relaxation from a busy day.