We simply cannot avoid lava lamps. They look fantastic, and can make any room more authentic, but do we know how do lava lamps work? Out of all lamps, we can all agree on the fact that the lava lamps are one of the most interesting to look at.
They look like some experiment straight outta a chemist’s laboratory and they offer a trippy visual experience. It is no wonder they became such a big hit in the 1960s (thanks to Mathmos).
There are different kinds of lava lamps that are available at different price points. Some of them even offer multiple lighting effects. One of the benefits of having a lava lamp is that it offers an ambiance that can be a welcome change to the more conventional ways of decorating. It is also good to have a lava lamp in a room because it makes the room seem alive and vibrant.
Let’s find out how they do their magic.
How do lava lamps work?
Lava lamps work based on the two main ingredients, and that would be wax and a liquid. The interesting thing is that those two compounds do not mix, and that is the main reason why they create such a playful and spectacular. The lightbulb placed at the bottom of the lamp has the role of heating up the wax.
In the initial stage at room temperature, the wax will be denser than the water, but when the heat comes into play, the wax will become less dense and it will begin to float. As it floats up and moves further and further away from the heat source, the wax cools down and becomes more solid. When the wax reaches the top of the lamp and becomes denser than liquid, it will sink again.
The cycle is repeated continuously until you turn the lamp off. It is a very interesting and easy principle to understand if you want to know how do lava lamps work.
You can also fix the lava lamp if it goes bad or becomes blurry. We recommend checking out our guide on old lava lamps.
Here’s a useful video on how do lava lamps work:
What liquid is in a lava lamp?
Lava lamps are a type of lamp that uses a fluid consisting of either water or mineral oil and paraffin wax. For a better visual experience, colors and sparkles are added inside.
The liquid may be replaced as often as needed to maintain the desired effect.
Can you keep a lava lamp on all the time?
You cannot keep a lava lamp on all the time because it will overheat and stop working properly.
It is not recommended to leave them turned on for more than 6-8 hours if you want them to stay long-lasting, so we definitely advise you not to leave them on overnight.
Everything depends on the quality of the lamp itself, but the same rule of not keeping a lava lamp on all the time applies to each. If you want to know how do lava lamps work, you must first understand the basics such as that they are not intended to operate all the time.
Read more on lava lamp benefits.
Is lava actually in lava lamps?
Actual lava isn’t present in lava lamps for the simple reason of impossibility. The name of the lamp comes from a motion of liquids that simply resembles true lava.
The real lava cannot be handled or stored. Even if it could be stored inside a lamp, it would completely destroy it.
Theoretically – if we put real lava in a lava lamp, the glass from which it is made would automatically melt, not to mention the things that are next to the lamp itself.
Conclusion
So, now that we have explained everything in this article, we are sure that there are no reasons left to ask yourself how do lava lamps work. Many people choose to use lava lamps for decorative purposes, and for other creative uses, such as artistic displays. Others enjoy the relaxing nature of watching the lights dance.
Decorate your favorite room with a lava lamp and enjoy the play of colors and movement that this wonderful but simple item will give you or your loved ones. Your precious space will get a whole new dimension.
