Seven Layer Density Column
Everyone knows that vegetable oil floats on water. That’s because
the two liquids have different densities. Density is basically how
much “stuff” is smashed into a particular area… or a comparison
between an object’s mass and volume. So, the exact same volume
of two liquids may actually have different masses, so they would
have different densities. That’s why vegetable oil floats on top of
water.
But, vegetable oil and water are just one way to explore density.
What if you could float seven different liquids in seven different
layers? We’ll show you how to be amazing and make a seven-layer
density column!
Materials
•Light Karo Syrup
•Water
•Vegetable Oil
•Dawn dish soap (blue)
•Rubbing alcohol
•Lamp Oil
•Honey
•Graduated cylinder
•Food Coloring or True Color Coloring Tablets
•Food baster
•9 oz. portion cups
Experiment
•Measure 8 ounces of each type of liquid into the 9 oz. portion cups.
You may want to start the experiment by coloring each of the liquids
to make a more dramatic effect in your column. Light Karo syrup is
easier to color than the 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.
Make sure you pour them in the following order.
◦Honey
◦Karo syrup
◦Dish soap
◦Water
◦Vegetable oil
◦Rubbing Alcohol
◦Lamp oil
Note: 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. Also, 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.
•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.
Density is too cool!
Observations
How does it work?
The same amount of two different liquids will have different weights
because they have different masses. The liquids that weigh more
(have a higher density) will sink below the liquids that weigh less
(have a lower density). To test this, you might want to set up a scale
and measure each of the liquids that you are pouring into your
column. Make sure that you are measuring the weights of equal
portions of each liquid. You should find that the weights of the
liquids correspond to each different layer of liquid. For example, the
honey will weigh more than the Karo syrup, etc. By weighing these
liquids, you will find that density and weight are closely related.
Here are the densities of the liquids used in the column as well as
other common liquids:
Experiment From Steve Spangler Science
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