How A Lava Lamp Works: Everything You Should Know

FACTS CHECKED BY  Bob Smith

Watching a lava lamp in action can be pretty mesmerizing, with its large bubbles swirling around and morphing. However, if you’ve ever wondered about the physics behind how a lava lamp works, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the mechanics of lava lamps. 

What Is Lava Lamp?

Lava lamps are decorative tube-shaped light fixtures containing colored oily fluids that flow up and down the lamp in a way that evokes the flow of molten lava. As the liquid inside the lamp rises and flows, it splits into different-sized globules that twirl around to create a psychedelic effect. 

We owe the invention of the lava lamp to an English engineer, Edward Craven Walker. He first got the idea of the lava lamp from a prototype he saw in a pub in the late 1940S. However, it wasn’t until 1963 that the lava lamp as we know it today came into existence. 

Oily fluid in a tube

Oily fluid in a tube

How Does a Lava Lamp Work?

Contrary to the name suggests, lava lamps don’t use volcanic lava whatsoever. The name lava lamp typically comes from the rising and falling action of the lamp’s globules. This lava effect results from the interaction between the different fluids used inside the lamp. 

Conventional lava lamps usually use two different fluids selected based on their densities such that one floats within the other. It would help if you also considered the coefficient of expansion of the fluids. This allows one to rise or sink faster than the other when you subject them to heating. The most common fluids used in commercial lava lamps are water and wax.

When the bulb at the base of the lava lamp heats the heavier fluid (wax) at the bottom of the lamp, its temperature increases, causing it to become less dense and rise to the top. As it approaches the top of the compartment, it starts to cool and become more viscous, thus sinking back to the bottom. You can repeat this process several times until it creates the mesmerizing effect for which these lamps are known. 

Lava lamp mechanics

Lava lamp mechanics

How To Make a Lava Lamp

Making a DIY lava lamp is not only fun but also easy to do. Here are some of the items you’ll need to make one:

  • A clear bottle
  • Vegetable oil
  • Water
  • Food coloring
  • Alka Setzler tablets
  • Flashlight (optional)

Here is a guide on how to make a DIY lava lamp

  • Fill up the bottle with water ½ way full and add some food color of your choice.
  • Fill up the rest of the bottle with vegetable oil. 
  • Break the Alka Setzler tablets into tiny pieces and drop them inside the bottle. 

As you drop more Setzler tablets into the water bottle, you should begin to see a reaction and the colored water rising inside the oil. After making your lava lamp, you can place a flashlight underneath the bottle to enhance the illuminating effect. 

DIY lava lamp

DIY lava lamp

Why Is My Lava Lamp Not Working?

Various reasons may cause your lava lamp not to work correctly. Some of the most common problems you’re likely to encounter may include the following:

The Wax In The Lava Lamp Won’t Flow

Have you ever wondered, “why is the lava in my lamp not moving?” If the wax inside your lava lamp isn’t flowing, chances are there’s a problem with the bulb or coil. Remember, these two components are responsible for generating the heat that melts the wax, thus allowing it to flow. If either of these is damaged or poorly set up, the wax inside your lamp will cool and turn solid. 

The Wax Inside The Lava Lamp Sticks At The Top

Usually, switching off your lava lamp after having it on for some time cools it down. This makes the wax settle at the bottom. If you notice that the wax sticks at the top of your lava lamp, then it means the liquid has separated. 

Cloudy Lava Lamp

Your lava lamp should never be cloudy when in use. If you notice this happening, it might be because you moved or shook the lamp while it was still hot. Another reason a lava lamp might be cloudy is if the unit has reached the end of its life. Lava lamps typically have a lifespan of about 2,000 hours. 

How To Fix a Lava Lamp

As highlighted before, there are several reasons you may want to fix your lava lamp. The approach you take to get your lava lamp working again will depend on what exactly the problem is. 

For instance, if the wax inside your lava lamp isn’t flowing, you should check whether the bulb is dead. If this is the case, you’ll have to replace it to get your lava lamp working correctly again. Also, inspect the metal coil to ensure it fits perfectly. 

If the wax inside your lava lamp sticks at the top, use a hairdryer to melt it and allow it to settle down before switching on the lamp again. If your lava lamp is cloudy, unplug it and let it sit for about 8 hours, then switch it back on. 

How To Dispose Of a Lava Lamp

When disposing of a lava lamp, you’ll need to dismantle it into separate parts. It’s essential to wear protective gear, including gloves and safety glasses, to ensure the liquid doesn’t come into contact with your eyes or skin. 

Unscrew the top and bottom parts of the lava lamp and gently drain the liquid and wax onto a newspaper. With the liquid emptied, clean the glass or plastic tube to remove any residue. Once you have the different components separately, you can normally recycle the glass or plastic tube and dispose of the newspaper with the dry liquid and wax in a dumpster. 

How Long Can a Lava Lamp Be On?

Ideally, you shouldn’t leave your lava lamp on for more than 8-10 hours at a stretch. Lava lamps need time to cool off after being on for long periods. So, leaving your lava lamp on for extended periods without this cool-off time can significantly shorten its lifespan. 

What Will Happen If I Shake a Lava Lamp?

When you shake your lava lamp while warm, the liquid will turn foggy or accidentally drop down, and the lava might break up in the worst-case scenario, causing permanent damage. If you experience this, turn off the lamp and let it rest for 24 hours before turning it on again.

Cloudy lava 

Cloudy lava 

Wrapping Up

Lava lamps are undoubtedly fascinating to look at and can enhance the aesthetic of any space. Knowing how they work and how to troubleshoot common problems that may arise allows you to enjoy your lava lamp for longer. 

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