In this experiment, students use paper chromatography to investigate the food dyes used in candies like Skittles® and M&Ms®. By dissolving the candy coating in water and placing a drop of the resulting dye onto a strip of paper, students can observe how the different pigments travel up the paper when placed in a salt water solution. The solvent moves through the paper via capillary action, separating the pigments based on their polarity and chemical properties. This reveals whether each candy color is made up of a single dye or a mixture of pigments, helping students compare color compositions across different types of candies.
Students will learn about the parts of the heart and engage in a hands-on activity that simulates how the heart pumps and how a pacemaker helps regulate heart rhythm.
