When life gives you lemons, make invisible ink!
Need to send a secret message? Create invisible ink with lemon juice!
Materials
- Lemons
- Water
- Bowl and spoon
- Cotton swab
- White paper
- Lamp
Instructions:
- Squeeze lemon juice into bowl, add a few drops of water and mix with a spoon.
- Dip cotton swab into mixture and write or draw secret message onto the white paper.
- Allow to dry completely and turn invisible.
- To reveal the message, heat the paper by holding it close to a light bulb.
What’s happening?
Lemon juice is mostly colorless at room temperature. Diluting the lemon juice with water makes it very hard to see when applied to white paper. Holding the paper near a light bulb heats up the juice which breaks down compounds, releasing carbon. Carbon oxidizes and turns brown when it comes into contact with air, revealing your message!
