Seven Layer Denisty
The purpose of this experiment is to compare the different densities of different liquids. Density is a comparison between an object’s mass and volume. Density = Mass divided by Volume. If the weight (or mass) of something increases but the volume stays the same, the density has to go up. If the mass decreases but the volume stays the same, the density has to go down. This experiment will show how the weight of certain liquids reacts to each other. The seven liquids I have chosen for the experiment have different weights and textures. My hypothesis is that the liquids that have more density, even though I am using the same amount of liquid, will be on the bottom of the column. The liquids that are less dense will then layer on top of the more dense liquid. They will create a layer of seven different liquids one on top of the other.
Most of the research I did for this experiment was online. I found a lot of different information about the densities of different liquids. One web site that was most helpful was stevepglerscience. com. I learned how different liquids have different densities. The same amount of oil has a different density than the same amount of water, for example. I also watched a video on youtube. com showing how the experiment works. Some liquids that have different densities are baby oil, vegetable oil, water, milk, dawn dish soap, and maple syrup. Each one can be measured out in the same amount but will have different densities.
The materials I used for the project are simple everyday products you use around the house. The container I used was bought at Walmart and is used for holding spaghetti. The other materials I used are: Light Karo syrup Water Vegetable oil Dawn dish soap (blue) Rubbing alcohol Lamp oil Honey Food Coloring or True Color Coloring Tablets Food baster 9 oz portion cups.
Measure 8 ounces of each type of liquid into the 9-ounce portion cups. You may want to color each of the liquids to make a more dramatic effect in your column. Light Karo syrup is easier to color than dark syrup. The only liquids that you may not be able to color are the vegetable oil and the honey.
Start your column by pouring the honey into the cylinder. Now, you will pour each liquid SLOWLY into the container, one at a time. It is very important to pour the liquids slowly and into the center of the cylinder. Make sure that the liquids do not touch the sides of the cylinder while you are pouring. It’s okay if the liquids mix a little as you are pouring. The layers will always even themselves out because of the varying densities. Make sure you pour the liquids in the following order: Honey Karo syrup Dish soap Water Vegetable oil Rubbing alcohol Lamp oil
As you pour, the liquids will layer on top of one another. After you pour in the liquids you will have a seven-layer science experiment. What I observed was that the different liquids were able to float on top of one another. The densest liquid stayed at the bottom starting with the honey. The least dense liquid was at the top and that was the lamp oil. All these different liquids have different densities. The honey stayed at the bottom because it had the highest density of all the liquids. Each liquid sed after the honey had a little bit less density and that’s why they were able to layer on top of one another. Because the lamp oil had the least amount of density it was on the very top of all the other liquids. This experiment showed how liquids can have an equal measurement, but different densities. Acknowledgments I want to thank my mom and dad for their help with my project and research. I also want to thank Mr. Rothering for his help and encouragement.
