Rainbow Candy Experiment

By Sara Thompson

Image credit is User Fichbio, obtained from Wikimedia Commons

Special to the Enterprise

Do you have candy? Do you like rainbow colors? Do you enjoy science experiments? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then this home experiment is for you!

Materials: Shallow bowl or dish, warm water, sweets with a candy coating (Skittles, M&Ms, etc.).

Experiment: First thing is to place your candy-coated sweets in your shallow bowl or dish. Make a fun design, alternate colors, whatever you like. Next, carefully pour the warm water in the dish. If you pour slowly, or trickle the water down the edge, your design will not be disturbed. Let the candies sit in the warm water and see what happens. A rainbow of colors should begin to form!

Candies with a colorful coating are made of sugar and food dye. When the candies are in water, the sugar begins to dissolve, warm water speeds up the dissolving. As the sugar dissolved, the food dye will start to spread, or diffuse, through the water, making the colorful display.

Try different kinds of candies, make different designs, try different water temperatures. Does the experiment work with different liquids, such as vinegar? Make predictions, do experiments, and have fun. And most importantly, have an adult observe and assist with all experiments for safety.

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