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Oobleck is a fictional form of green precipitation invented by children's author Dr. Seuss in the book Bartholomew and the Oobleck. The word has since been used to describe a mixture of corn starch and water used to demonstrate the dilatant property of non-Newtonian fluids. Oobleck is also known in the United Kingdom as "goop" or "gloop" in many primary and nursery schools.
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Fictional precipitation
In Bartholomew and the Oobleck, a king bored with ordinary rain, sunshine, fog, and snow causes green precipitation called Oobleck to fall from the sky. The Oobleck proves so sticky that it gums up the whole kingdom until the day is saved by Bartholomew Cubbins, the title character from Dr. Seuss' 1938 book The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins.
Non-Newtonian fluid
The word has since been used to describe a substance that is used as a science aid to teach children about liquids and solids. This oobleck is created from cornstarch or potato flour and water in a ratio between 2:1 and 3:2. Though initially it acts like a viscous liquid, applying pressure quickly will make it appear to be a solid for a short time. The oobleck also behaves unlike conventional solids or liquid when thrown in the air, molded, heated, or vibrated.
Oobleck readily demonstrates the dilatant effect, which means it becomes more viscous when agitated or compressed. Oobleck contains polymers (a form of pseudoplastic).
Glurch
The related Glurch is the nickname given to a polymer substance created in many middle school science courses. It consists of starch, glue and food coloring. It is used to show the process of polymerization.