When you try to mix water and oil or alcohol and oil, the polar molecules stick together, keeping the oil molecules from getting between them-and the two don't mix. When you try to mix water and alcohol, they mix fine, since both are made of polar molecules. It seems more like an art project to me. Playing with the Glitter Globe gives you a chance to watch how liquids flow. And in the process, you make something that's pretty.
Some people think that science and art have very little in common.
At the Exploratorium, we disagree. Both artists and scientists start their work by noticing something interesting or unusual in the world around them. Both artists and scientists experiment with the things they have noticed. Art and science begin in the same place-with noticing and experimenting. This and dozens of other cool activities are included in the Exploratorium's Science Explorer books, available for purchase from our online store .