whats the liqiud inside a lava lamp.....?

Question

and why does it behave like it does

Answer 1

"The lamp consists of an illuminating bulb which heats up the lamp's contents, a glass bottle containing water and a translucent mix of wax and carbon tetrachloride (although other combinations may be used), and a metallic wire coil. The glass bottle sits on top of the bulb. The metallic wire coil is hidden in the base of the lamp, on which the glass bottle is sitting."

Answer 2

The lamp consists of an illuminating bulb which heats up the lamp's contents, a glass bottle containing water and a translucent mix of wax and carbon tetrachloride
The link show you how to make your own lava lamp

Answer 3

It consists of a sealed glass vessel containing a water/glycol mix. A normal clear or coloured bulb (generally 60 W) and power supple lead, is fitted in the base under the glass vessel. The bottom of the vessel has a layer of a solid, light paraffin wax.
As the bulb heats up the wax, it begins to soften and melt and form 'Globules' of wax which, due to the convection currents set up by the heat input, causes the wax to become less dense than the water/glycol mixture and rise.
As the wax cools again higher up, it's density increases again and it sinks. This sets up the circulatory motion of the globules.

Answer 4

I think its a type of wax or non soluble oil. It behaves that way because the heat from the lamp causes it to melt and the convection currents in the surrounding liquid (probably a type of oil or water) cause it to circulate in the lamp.

Answer 5

Wax

Answer 6

Coloured Wax or oil.