Oil and Water Don't Mix
After a rainstorm have you ever noticed puddles in the road with glossy-looking
oil floating on top? Ever noticed the oil spots that sometimes form in your
chicken-noodle soup?
Why does the oil float on the water rather than mixing with it? This experiment
will take some of the mystery out of this phenomenon.
1.Take a jar of water and put a drop of food coloring in it (Reeko prefers blue ).
2.Now pour in some vegetable oil.
3.Next stir or shake the jar. Do the oil and water mix?
4.Finally, take another jar of colored water. Pour some rubbing alcohol slowly
down the edge of the glass (the inside edge of course). Now stir or shake the
jar. Do the liquids stay mixed?
When two liquids separate themselves into layers, like the oil and water do, we
say the two liquids are immiscible (ih MISS ih buhl). Now you understand why it
does no good to poor water on a grease (oil) fire. Also makes you understand
how some creatures up North can swim around in icy cold water with no ill
effects (hint, their coats are very oily).
Credit: reekoscience.com
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