Plasticity Lab

In science class, we did a lab which demonstrated the plasticity of the Earth's mantle. To do this, we used cornstarch and water. We combined them to make it into a sticky, rubbery like liquid which could also be a solid. That mixture was a solid but had the characteristics of a liquid. It looks solid and rubbery, but once you put it in your hands, it feels soft and it starts to get liquid. The mixture was white at first but than we mixed in green food coloring so it turned green. The ooglet looked like a silly putty to me. The heat and pressure on the ooglet made it hard so that it didn't drip off your hand. Therefore, when the heat and pressure is not present, than the mixture would just drip down like a liquid. If you push your fingers on it fast then nothing will happen, it will just bounce on it. Then if you push your fingers in slowly then you finger will start to sink in. The mixture and the Earth's mantle are similar because heat and pressure displays the sphere of the mantle. Also, if there is no heat and pressure, than it will melt just like the mixture did. This lab was so much fun. I wish I can do it again sometime. I learned a lot of information form this fun lab!