Tie-Dye is SO MUCH FUN…messy, but fun! This is a different version of Tie Dye….with a science twist…and it’s a little easier and less messy ;-).
Here’s the low-down on the science behind this fun activity!
This STEAM activity is a great way to introduce chromatography to your students or kids at home! In chromatography, “Like dissolves like“. This is an expression used by chemists that describes how polar and non-polar molecules behave. Something that is polar (such as water) will dissolve something else that is polar (such as salt). Water (polar) will not dissolve oil, because oil is non-polar.
Permanent marker ink and isopropyl alcohol are both non-polar substances. “Like dissolves like,” so the marker pigment dissolves into the alcohol and moves across the fabric. Once you draw with the marker on the fabric, the ink is in what is called the stationary phase. When it begins to moves, it goes into the mobile phase.
The instructions are listed below, but my video will also give you a step by step visual demonstration with tips for running this activity with your kids!
For this activity you will need these supplies:
– Permanent Markers
– Isopropyl Alcohol
– Eye Dropper / Pipet
– Cup
– Bin/Pail
– Plastic Mat, Cardboard, thick paper (to fit inside your t-shirt when coloring with sharpies)
– White t-shirt or another piece of light-colored fabric
First, gather all of your supplies! Next, you will want to slide your cardboard/plastic mat into the T-shirt so that it separates the back and the front. This will keep the permanent marker from bleeding through to the backside. You are now ready to start coloring! Try different shapes and sizes, lines, dots, circles…you can get even creative with flowers and hearts! The marker ink is now in the stationary phase on your t-shirt!
After creating your designs, it’s time to make that ink (which is polar) move and spread across the fabric by adding the rubbing alcohol (which is also polar). Fill your cup up far enough to be able to pick up the liquid with your pipet/eyedropper, but not so much that you will be cleaning up Noah’s flood if it spills (refill cup as necessary). Next, use the eyedropper to pick up the rubbing alcohol.
Squeeze out drops, testing out different amounts at a time and different places near the ink. You’ll notice that the ink will spread away from where the alcohol was dropped!
You will want to let your designs completely dry. To set the ink, throw the completely dry t-shirt into the clothes dryer on the highest heat setting for about 15 minutes. It’s best to wash these shirts separately, on a gentle cycle, and in cold water.
