Feeling blue?

Perform a secret experiment using the mobile app!

Difficulty:
Danger:
Duration:
40 minutes

Reagents

Safety

  • Conduct the experiment on the plastic tray.
  • Put on protective gloves and eyewear.
General safety rules
  • Do not allow chemicals to come into contact with the eyes or mouth.
  • Keep young children, animals and those not wearing eye protection away from the experimental area.
  • Store this experimental set out of reach of children under 12 years of age.
  • Clean all equipment after use.
  • Make sure that all containers are fully closed and properly stored after use.
  • Ensure that all empty containers are disposed of properly.
  • Do not use any equipment which has not been supplied with the set or recommended in the instructions for use.
  • Do not replace foodstuffs in original container. Dispose of immediately.
General first aid information
  • In case of eye contact: Wash out eye with plenty of water, holding eye open if necessary. Seek immediate medical advice.
  • If swallowed: Wash out mouth with water, drink some fresh water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical advice.
  • In case of inhalation: Remove person to fresh air.
  • In case of skin contact and burns: Wash affected area with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes.
  • In case of doubt, seek medical advice without delay. Take the chemical and its container with you.
  • In case of injury always seek medical advice.
Advice for supervising adults
  • The incorrect use of chemicals can cause injury and damage to health. Only carry out those experiments which are listed in the instructions.
  • This experimental set is for use only by children over 12 years.
  • Because children’s abilities vary so much, even within age groups, supervising adults should exercise discretion as to which experiments are suitable and safe for them. The instructions should enable supervisors to assess any experiment to establish its suitability for a particular child.
  • The supervising adult should discuss the warnings and safety information with the child or children before commencing the experiments. Particular attention should be paid to the safe handling of acids, alkalis and flammable liquids.
  • The area surrounding the experiment should be kept clear of any obstructions and away from the storage of food. It should be well lit and ventilated and close to a water supply. A solid table with a heat resistant top should be provided
  • Substances in non-reclosable packaging should be used up (completely) during the course of one experiment, i.e. after opening the package.

FAQ and troubleshooting

Can I use ordinary paper for this experiment?

Unfortunately, ordinary paper is rather thin and tears relatively easily. We recommend using the watercolor paper provided in the set. The set contains enough paper to repeat the experiment several times.

When I added the ammonium carbonate (NH4)2CO3 solution, the mixture began to bubble. Is this normal?

Yes, that's totally normal. The reaction yields carbon dioxide CO2, which you may notice as bubbles.

The mixture that I obtained turned blue. Is this okay?

If the whole mixture has turned blue, this likely means that you’ve overexposed it to light. But don’t worry! Just discard this plastic cup and start over. When repeating the experiment, keep in mind that the experiment must be performed in very dim lighting.

And if the mixture turned greenish? It will still work, but the image won’t be as contrasted.

It’s been 20 minutes, but nothing is happening. What should I do?

Don't worry – just continue the experiment. Complete the next steps and observe the result!

How long should I rinse the image with water?

The longer you rinse, the clearer the image will be. Just don't scrape it too much!

Disposal

Dispose of solid waste together with household garbage. Pour solutions down the sink. Wash with an excess of water.