In this activity, students watch the Brainiac video Jon Tickle walks on custard on YouTube to learn more about non-Newtonian fluids at work. The activity includes a number of strategies to deepen student interaction with video content.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • discuss the differences between Newtonian fluids (‘normal liquids’) and non-Newtonian fluids
  • explain the scientific meanings of stress and strain as they relate to fluids
  • discuss how non-Newtonian fluids change their viscosity or flow behaviour under stress
  • explain why Jon Tickle is able to walk on custard but not on water.

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

  • background information for teachers
  • teacher instructions
  • student instructions.

    Published 12 April 2010, Updated 15 February 2018 Referencing Hub articles
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