Instructions :
Seven Layer Density Column
This is a great experiment that teaches density.
Materials
Light Karo syrup
Water
Vegetable oil
Dawn dish soap (blue)
Rubbing alcohol
Lamp oil
Honey
Graduated cylinder
Food Coloring
Food baster
How does this experiment relate to science?
Density is the measurement of how many atoms are packed into a given amount a space. The more stuff that is packed into the space, the more dense the object is. When you are looking at the density column the most dense items are at the bottom of the graduated cylinder (or glass).
Density is a relationship of mass and volume. The forumla for density is Density = Mass(g)/Volume(cm3). Water has a density of 1.0 g/cm3. Any substance that has a density greater than 1.0 g/cm3 will sink (more dense than water) and if the density is less than 1.0 g/cm3 it will float (less dense than water).
Higher-Level Questioning
Why is it that penny will sink in water, but a huge battleship floats?
Seven Layer Density Column
This is a great experiment that teaches density.
Materials
Light Karo syrup
Water
Vegetable oil
Dawn dish soap (blue)
Rubbing alcohol
Lamp oil
Honey
Graduated cylinder
Food Coloring
Food baster
How does this experiment relate to science?
Density is the measurement of how many atoms are packed into a given amount a space. The more stuff that is packed into the space, the more dense the object is. When you are looking at the density column the most dense items are at the bottom of the graduated cylinder (or glass).
Density is a relationship of mass and volume. The forumla for density is Density = Mass(g)/Volume(cm3). Water has a density of 1.0 g/cm3. Any substance that has a density greater than 1.0 g/cm3 will sink (more dense than water) and if the density is less than 1.0 g/cm3 it will float (less dense than water).
Higher-Level Questioning
Why is it that penny will sink in water, but a huge battleship floats?