Lava Lamp

You probably have seen these lovely lamps plenty of times, but might not register its name at first. After all, it is not very commonly referenced to. However, it can produce very fascinating effects, effects that can add a different dimension to your room. In fact, most people choose to use it as a decorative light in their bedrooms.  Invented in 1963 by Edward Walker, a British entrepreneur, the fact that it is still widely seen now speaks for itself. It has a timeless appeal that still summons its magic in contemporary times. It works using a very simply scientific principle: density. Oil, water, and melted wax all have different densities, and when placed together, they don’t mix. This results in clear separation of the different layers. When the lamp is lit up however, this generates heat, which warms the wax. The wax loses its density, and consequently floats to the top of the lamp. When it reaches the top however, it starts to cool off again, therefore gaining density. This makes it sink to the bottom.  The resulting up down constant motion is what ultimately contributes to the spectacular effect that you observe in lava lamps.