Rainbow Chandelier

    This 'ible will show you how to make a pretty and colorful chandelier out of test tubes and food coloring. The project was originally intended to use chemistry indicator solution to act as an artsy demonstration of pH dyes. However, due to a faulty indicator dye that I ordered, we decided to use food coloring instead (it is also prettier). The project was used with the faulty indicator dye (and later switched to food coloring) as a demo for my homeschool teaching position. For older students, indicator dye is a good experiment for  observing pH in everyday objects and learning to use pH sensitive materials (the dye and litmus paper as well). For younger students, the coloring could use the food colorants to have some fun mixing colors while trying to make a color wheel.
    Through building this color wheel, young students will learn the elements of mixing colors to achieve new colors. The mixing of primary colors is a basic part of all of our educations. At the same time, older students could adapt the color element to learn something about the elements. The chemistry behind  Acid / Base mixtures with respect to their concentrations is easily taught with the use of color-changing indicator dyes. Either way, its really fun!

    The inspiration for the entire project came from tumbling across the last image on this step. (source fails to be cited!)

Step 1: Materials

Materials:

Wood for the wheels supporting the test tubes
String or wire to hold them up
Food coloring (water-based works best, but any kind will do)
Test tubes
     I ordered my test tubes via Carolina Biological Company 
http://www.carolina.com/category/equipment+and+supplies/glass+and+plasticware/tubes.do
     They sell boxes of 48 test tubes for around $10 to $15 and have decently priced shipping. A good company!
     They also sell universal indicator solution (not great quality, but still decent) if you want to use the chemistry approach.



Equipment:

A 1/2" drill was used to drill the holes for the tubes
a bandsaw was used to cut the circles for the wood form (use whatever you want here though)
and a tiny drill bit was used to drill holes for the string

Comments

[domesticdiva]

This.is.freaking.awesome! I was just looking at websites for inspiration for a new light fixture in my dining room that was colorful and fun, and not stuffy at all. This is nerd-tastic, colorful, AND a fun project for my son and I to make! Thanks for publishing this! :-)

[LostRite]

thanks! that is exactly what I like hearing from ibles

[wilgubeast]

That looks awesome. It'd be great to see a pH version for older students. As a matter of fact, I'll put a bounty out on it. 1 year of pro membership to someone who can show us a version that uses indicator dye to illustrate pH.

[LostRite]

a link it to the comments here please! I was only able to get 1 blue, a ton of reds and yellows and one green (not exactly a color wheel) using the indicator dyes.

[tomtortoise]

this would make any room at least 20% cooler

[ChrysN]

Wow, this is gorgeous!

[Loopstyle]

Reaaly cool! Thanks for share :)