Rainbow Density Tower

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Ages: 7-12

Objective: Introduce children to the concept of density and layering while creating a visually appealing and colorful tower using liquids of different densities.

Materials Needed:

  1. Clear, tall glass or plastic container (one per participant)
  2. Honey
  3. Corn syrup
  4. Dish soap
  5. Water
  6. Vegetable oil
  7. Rubbing alcohol
  8. Food coloring (multiple colors)
  9. Measuring cups and spoons
  10. Dropper or small funnel (optional)

Procedure:

  1. Set up the clear container on a flat surface.

  2. Carefully pour the liquids into the container in the following order, starting with the densest liquid at the bottom and working your way up:

    • Honey (1/4 cup)
    • Corn syrup (1/4 cup)
    • Dish soap (1/4 cup)
    • Water (1/4 cup)
    • Vegetable oil (1/4 cup)
    • Rubbing alcohol (1/4 cup)

  3. After adding each liquid, allow it to settle before adding the next layer. This may take a few moments.

  4. Add a drop of food coloring to each layer to make the tower more colorful and visually appealing. You can use different colors for each layer.

  5. Observe as the liquids settle into distinct layers based on their densities, creating a beautiful rainbow tower effect.

Explanation:

  • Density is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume. Liquids with higher densities will sink below liquids with lower densities.
  • By carefully layering liquids of different densities in the container, you can create a colorful tower where each liquid occupies its own distinct layer.
  • Food coloring helps differentiate between the layers and adds to the visual appeal of the experiment.

Extensions:

  1. Encourage children to hypothesize why certain liquids are denser than others and how this affects their position in the density tower.
  2. Experiment with different liquids to see if you can create additional layers or different effects.
  3. Discuss real-world applications of density, such as in the separation of oil and water or in the formation of layers in lakes and oceans.
  4. Challenge kids to research and create their own variations of the density tower experiment using different liquids and colors.
  5. Explore how temperature affects the density of liquids by repeating the experiment with warm or cold liquids.

Safety Note:

  • Supervise children closely, especially when handling liquids and glass containers. Remind them not to ingest any of the substances used in the experiment.

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