Let’s learn about density with this fun experiment. Gather the material below and put science in action.
Materials
Clear quart-sized jar
½ cup of each of the following liquids:
Honey
Light corn syrup
Milk
Water mixed with a few drops of food coloring
Vegetable oil
A spoon (optional)
A baster (optional)
Small objects of different sizes and weights such as:
Paper clip
Mini ball
Screw
Binder clip
Rubber band
Grape
Raisin
Button
Instructions
Slowly pour ½ cup of honey into the bottom of the jar. Try not to get any on the sides.
Slowly and carefully add ½ cup of the rest of the liquids in the same order as the materials’ list. Don’t worry if you don’t have something. The most important thing is that whichever ones you use are added in order. Tip! Pour the liquid over the back of a spoon, or dribble with a baster, to help you add them slowly.
After adding all the liquid layers, try dropping small items in one at a time. Notice if they sink, float or something in between.
How it works
Even though each layer has the same amount of liquid, those liquids each have a different density.
Density measures how closely molecules are packed together in an object or liquid. The molecules in honey are packed more closely together than the molecules in the light corn syrup, so it is more dense. The light corn syrup is less dense, so it floats on top. Each liquid layer is less dense than the layer below it.
Each object has a different density too. They will sink below the liquid or liquids that are less dense, but float above the liquids that are more dense. This will suspend some of them in the middle!
Try shaking the jar to mix all the liquids together. Will they eventually settle back into layers or stay mixed together? What happens if you add another liquid like detergent or vinegar? Where will their layers form in the tower?
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