Is it a solid or is it a liquid? This polymer just can't decide. Scientists at Morrison Labs recently explored a non-newtonian fluid made of cornstarch and water.

Below Johnny, Amanda, and Catalina ponder the high viscosity of this amazing polymer.

Is it a solid or is it a liquid? This polymer just can't decide. Scientists at Morrison Labs recently explored a non-newtonian fluid made of cornstarch and water.

The formual for the non-Newtonian fluid is roughly two parts cornstarch to one part water. If you use one cup of cornstarch you would use a half-cup of water. Be sure to mix well as you add the water.

When you hit it hard or put quick stress on the non-newtonian fluid it acts like it's a solid. That means you can actually run across it. before you start to sink in. The video below has a few examples of Morrison Labs scientists running across the pit of doom. This lab was inspired by a recent Ninja MythBusters episode where Adam showed it was possible to walk across a liquid ( nonnewtonian). The viscosity of the nonnewtonian fluid increases and it acts like a solid as you put sudden stress on it. Adam walked across a 4ft deep pit of 1,000 pounds of cornstarch mixed with water. On a recent David Letterman episode a kid scientist had David run across a kid pool of the cornstarch solution. With a much smaller budget Morrison Labs was able to do a 3 ft by 7inch deep pit. That pit took two 25 lb bags from Smart and Final. Each bag cost $14 dollars for a total of $28.00.