Year 3 Week 3 Visual Art Activity

Parents, just a quick message to let you know that this activity will require parental supervision.  Also, please only use resources that you may already have at home.

Invisible Ink Science Experiment Using Lemon Juice

Learning Intention: For students to have an understanding that, lemon is an acidic substance that oxidizes and turns brown when heated.

Success Criteria:  When students are able to read the secret message left behind by the oxidation of the acidic lemon juice and have some understanding as to why this process happens.

We are learning and playing with simple kitchen science experiments.  Why Kitchen science?  Because everything you need is already in your kitchen cupboards.  There are so many cool experiments to do at home with everyday household items.  This experiment is sure to develop a love for not only being creative in art, but also learning through science.  This is also an exciting science experiment that ends in a candy treat ENJOY!  Have lots of fun kids and please remember to  film, share and upload  your work to me via email and/or google doc.

Making  and Cracking Your Secret Code

Making invisible ink is a lot of fun, you can pretend you are a secret agent as you keep all your secret codes and messages hidden from others. All you need is some basic household objects and the hidden power of lemon juice.

What you’ll need:

  • Half a lemon
  • Water
  • Spoon
  • Bowl
  • Cotton bud
  • White paper
  • Lamp or other light bulb

Instructions:

  1. Squeeze some lemon juice into the bowl and add a few drops of water.
  2. Mix the water and lemon juice with the spoon.
  3. Dip the cotton bud into the mixture and write a message onto the white paper.
  4. Wait for the juice to dry so it becomes completely invisible.
  5. When you are ready to read your secret message or show it to someone else, heat the paper by holding it close to a light bulb.

What’s happening?

Lemon juice is an organic substance that oxidizes and turns brown when heated. Diluting the lemon juice in water makes it very hard to notice when you apply it the paper, no one will be aware of its presence until it is heated and the secret message is revealed. Other substances which work in the same way include orange juice, honey, milk, onion juice, vinegar and wine. Invisible ink can also be made using chemical reactions or by viewing certain liquids under ultraviolet (UV) light.

Contact Details: Teresa Velardi (Art Teacher)

tvelardi@sgpreca.catholic.edu.au