Invisible Ink

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In this hands-on activity (on page 2 of the PDF), learners experiment with lemon juice and paper to create a message that can only be revealed using chemistry. Using an oven as a heat source (requires adult supervision and assistance), learners discover that different things combust at different temperatures since the lemon juice browns and the paper does not. This in one of three activities in the Take Home guide for the Chemistry of Toys unit in OMSI's Chemistry Lab. Also included in the PDF are: Chalk It Up and Flubber.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per student
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • lemon juice
  • one piece of paper
  • one small brush or cotton swab
  • oven

Keywords

Subjects

  • Physical Sciences
    • Heat and Thermodynamics
      • Heat and Temperature
    • Chemistry
      • Acids and Bases
      • Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Informal Categories

  • Crime Science
  • Food and Cooking

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation