Picture by the sun
5-12 y.o.
Average
4-6 h
For the experiment, you will need:
- Ground turmeric
- Disinfectant or spirit
- Bowl
- Paper
- Painter's brush
- Leaves or flowers of plants of various shapes
- Glass from the photo frame
- Water
- Soda powder
- Big plate
1. Preparing
Prepare all the tools necessary for the experiment.
2. Making paints
Mix a tablespoon of ground turmeric with the same amount of disinfectant liquid.
3. Paint
Apply the finished paint with a brush over the entire area of the sheet of paper.
4. Arrange leaves and flowers
Arrange the leaves or flowers of plants in the desired patterns.
5. Pressing
In order for the leaves and flowers of the plant to press well against the paper and not be blown away by the wind, cover the picture with glass.
6. Sunbath
Leave the picture in bright sunlight (not in the shade) for 4-6 hours.
7. Reveal the pattern
Pull the picture away from the sun, remove the glass and plants from it. You should see that where the paper was covered by plants, the color is brighter.
8. Soda bath
Mix one tablespoon of soda with a glass of warm water. Put the painted sheet of paper on a plate and pour it with a soda and water mix.
9. Result
Remove the picture from the soda and water mix and leave it to dry. Watch how the contours of the plants are brightening during the experiment.
How does it work?
Turmeric is a natural dye that reacts with light. When a painted sheet of paper is exposed to sunlight, turmeric begins to change color – a photochemical reaction takes place. The sun’s rays have enough energy to cause chemical reactions that affect turmeric molecules, changing their color. The leaves and flowers of the plant, placed on paper, block sunlight and protect turmeric from discoloration under them. This is how a contrast is obtained between the areas affected by light and those that are not affected. Meanwhile, a mix of soda and water helps to stabilize the color. When the paper is dipped in a soda mix, turmeric reacts with soda, which helps to enhance and capture the color changes caused by sunlight. This helps to highlight the contours of the plants and ensures that the picture remains bright.
