Activity Overview
Budding scientists of all ages will enjoy exploring the concept of density in this Liquid Layers Density Experiment. This experiment is super easy to perform with a few liquid ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen pantry.
When you perform this experiment, the different liquids will separate into individual layers instead of mixing together as one might expect them to. You will observe three distinct layers. The vegetable oil is the least dense of the three so it rises to the top. The corn syrup is the most dense of the bunch and automatically settles at the bottom of the jar forming its own layer.
Materials Needed
- Food coloring
- Cold Water
- Corn syrup
- Vegetable Oil
- A spoon
- A clean clear jar
- A glass
How to Do It
- Fill a drinking glass half way with cold water.
- Add a few drops of food coloring to the water and stir well with a spoon.
- In a jar, pour several tablespoons of vegetable oil.
- Slowly pour the colored water into the jar that is partially filled with vegetable oil.
- Carefully add several tablespoons of corn syrup to the jar.
- Watch what happens after each addition of liquid.
