A lava lamp (made with your own hands) is quite an interesting and original item in the interior, which can also be a wonderful gift. If you do not want to spend money, be sure to try to make it yourself. The device of a lava lamp is actually not so difficult. It is quite possible to make it right at home.
DIY temporary lava lamp
Of course, you can go to the gift shop and buy this piece of furniture. But it's not that cheap. Let's look at how to make a lava lamp from scrap materials?
The first thing we need is a large plastic bottle of lemonade or mineral water. In general, absolutely any transparent container that closes tightly with a lid will do, but a plastic bottle is the best option. In order to achieve the most effective result, it is better to take a container of at least 0.5 liters.
Next, you need to fill the bottle with three-quarters of the total volume of oil, and pour water and about 10 drops of food coloring into the remaining quarter. The solution should be a rich color. Now you need to add s alt or any effervescent tablet, such as Alka-Seltzer or vitamin C.
Next, close the bottle tightly with a cap and shake it. You will immediately notice how droplets of liquid begin to form, gradually connecting with each other. But this process will take place intermittently. Drops will stop forming over time and more s alt or effervescent tablets will need to be added.
Such a handmade lava lamp is good because it is absolutely harmless and safe, which is important if it is used by children as well.
To make everything look even more impressive, place some kind of light source at the bottom of the bottle so that the beam is directed upwards onto the liquid. In this way, the light will illuminate these drops, and the lava lamp will look much more spectacular. With your own hands, you can destroy it if the light source will give a lot of heat, which can melt the plastic.
How does a temporary lava lamp work?
What is a lava lamp made of? Its mechanism lies in the fact that, due to different densities, water and oil do not mix, as a result of which bubbles are formed that move freely in the liquid. And adding s alt or an effervescent tablet makes the reaction even more spectacular.
Permanent lava lamp
Howto make a lava lamp that will work constantly? It should be made by an adult as it uses alcohol and oil, which can ignite easily when heated.
For store-bought lamps, a special mixture of liquid waxes is used. But at home, you can try to achieve a similar result. If you try, then, in principle, it is quite possible to end up with a liquid that will be interesting to overflow.
The base of the lamp will be any glass container. In this case, do not use plastic, as it melts easily. Mineral or baby oil will be used as those very iridescent bubbles.
There is no set amount of oil to add. Pour approximately, as you can add more later if it is not enough. If you want a more interesting effect, you can try making a lava lamp with oil paints, but be aware that over time the oil can separate from the dye, resulting in an unsightly residue.
Now you need to add a mixture of 70% medical alcohol and 90% isopropyl alcohol. They can be purchased at any pharmacy. The mixture should consist of 6 parts of 90% alcohol and 13 parts of 70%. If you follow the indicated proportions, then the liquid will turn out to be approximately the same density as mineral oil.
After you have added all the ingredients for the lamp, you need to leave the mixture for a while so that it settles. Over time, the oil should beat the bottom.
Lava Lamp Heater
The next step is to heat the mixture. First of all, you need to tightly close the jar. Next, you need to make the following design: take a heat-resistant surface, such as a flower pot, put it upside down. Under it you need to place a heat source, and put our jar on the bottom. Over time, the lamp and the mixture inside it will heat up, the oil will expand more than the alcohol and move up and down.
An incandescent lamp is quite suitable for creating a heating device. Its power depends on the volume, but it is better to take no more than 40 watts.
