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Hidden Pattern

Stem Activities

Ages: 6-8

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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It's not magic, it's science! Explore the fascinating world of oxidation-reduction reactions through this entertaining experiment.

Materials Needed

Iodine solution
Vitamin C tablets
Paintbrush
Card paper
A glass of water
Brush
Spoon

Laid out on a light wood-grain table are several items arranged for an activity or experiment. These include a blank white sheet of paper, a clear measuring cup containing a dark liquid, a small, clear empty dish, a white plastic spoon, a paintbrush with a wooden handle and light bristles, a thin paintbrush with a dark blue handle, and a small clear dish with a few white tablets or pills. The setup suggests a science experiment, art project, or possibly a medical or pharmaceutical activity.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Crush the vitamin C tablet using a spoon.

A hand holds a small, white plastic measuring spoon over a clear dish on a light wood-grain table. A small pile of white powder and a few fragments of a crushed white tablet are visible in the dish. The scene suggests the preparation of an experiment, possibly involving mixing or measuring ingredients.

Step 2

Pour the crushed vitamin C into the water and stir until dissolved.

A hand holds a white plastic spoon above a clear glass beaker containing a clear liquid and some white, dissolved particles or powder. The setup, placed on a light wood-grain surface, suggests a science experiment or activity involving dissolving a substance in liquid.

Step 3

Using a paintbrush, dip it in the vitamin C solution. Write or draw your desired pattern on the card paper and wait patiently for it to dry.

Two hands are positioned near a blank white sheet of paper on a light wooden table. One hand holds the paper while the other dips a small paintbrush into a clear container filled with a light-colored liquid. A rack of colorful test tubes and a clear glass of water are also visible in the background. The arrangement suggests an art project or a science experiment involving painting or applying a liquid to the paper.

Step 4

Dip the brush in iodine solution and brush it over the dried card paper - watch the magic happen!

A hand is positioned to hold or adjust a blank white piece of paper on a light wood-grain table. In the top left corner, a rack of colorful test tubes is visible, suggesting a setting related to a science experiment, art activity, or educational demonstration.

The Science Behind It:

Paper contains starch which turns purple-blue when it comes into contact with iodine solution. However, vitamin C has reducing properties, so the areas where you drew with the vitamin C solution won't change colour, resulting in the white pattern you see.

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