Breaking down colors

Globule wonders...

How are colors formed?

Experiment: Breaking down color

Hypotheses: Ask children how colors are formed. Are certain colors combinations of other colors? Which ones? Some colors do not come from a combination of other colors, which ones?

Material:

• Coffee filters
• Markers, variety of colors
• A glass of water

Manipulation:

1. Using markers, draw circles of different colors on a coffee filter. Be sure to space them out. Use several coffee filters as needed.
   
   
2. Wet your finger by dipping it in the glass of water and place it over each of the coloured circles, letting a few drops of water fall onto each circle.
   
   
3. Observe what happens.
   
   
4. Wait a few minutes and you will see the different colors appear once the coffee filter is dry.

Explanation: Most colors are formed by mixing 3 simple colors called primary colors. Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. By combining these colors, we get secondary colors.

Primary + Primary = Secondary

Blue + Yellow = Green

Blue + Red = Purple

Yellow + Red = Orange

If you combine primary and secondary colors, you can create an infinite number of colors!

In our experiment, the water separated the colors on the filter paper. How many different colors can you observe?

Angélique Boissonneault

has a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Science. She has worked in a laboratory and tested her knowledge. She has taught Math, Chemistry, and Physics. She has also developed a simplistic and innovative approach designed to introduce young children to scientific experiments, old and new. She created her friend Globule. This character is sometimes red, and sometimes white. He guides little ones through their scientific experiments and discoveries. It is clear to see Angélique is passionate about children and science. Globule's Approach.