If you’ve completed the Soaking Up Rays experiment, you might still be a bit baffled as to why there’s a difference between black and white. Here’s a great way to actually “see” radiation by using liquid crystal thermal sheets.


You’ll need to find a liquid crystal sheet that has a temperature range near body temperature (so it changes color when you warm it with your hands.)


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8 Responses to “Liquid Crystals”

  1. That paper has special liquid crystals that are not quite solid and not quite a liquid, but they move between smaller phase shifts with the heat of your hand. This is why the paper goes from black to rainbow. And also why you need it as a way to indicate temperature for this experiment.

  2. Lizanne Coetser says:

    why that paper.

  3. Did you try Educational Innovations? I think they were the ones listed on the shopping list. You can find them at any scientific store, like Edmund Scientific, American Science & Surplus, and Carolina. You only need a 4″ x 4″ piece.

  4. Melissa Thatcher says:

    Where can I buy the liquid crystal sheets? They seem really expensive when I looked on Amazon ($37 for a 12X12), does that sound right?

  5. Joanne Findley says:

    amazon

  6. 70-90 degrees F is a good range for our experiments.

  7. Jeanne Eicks says:

    What should the temperature transition be on these sheets?

    Thanks!

  8. Martin Melody says:

    Where can I buy this?