Science Demonstration

Hilary Dingman & Megan Valanne

Dr. Shaunda Wood
EDUC 5743
February 8, 2018
Topic: Matter - Density.
Grade: Five (5)
Length of time: Ten (10) minute demonstration.

NGSS Standards

NB Science Curriculum

SCO: Identify properties that allow materials to be distinguished from one another (104-7, 300-
10). Follow a given set of procedures to relate the mass of a whole object to the sum of the mass
of its parts and suggest possible explanations for variations in the results (104-5, 205- 3, 300-11).

Materials:
• Small cups (6).
• Glass cylinder.
• Turkey baster.
• Various substances: honey, corn syrup, maple syrup, whole milk, dish soap, water,
vegetable oil and rubbing alcohol.
• Food colouring.
• Variety of objects: bolt, popcorn kernel, game dice, cherry tomato, soda bottle cap, and a
ping pong ball.

Safety Concerns: Ensure that none of the students consume any of the liquids that are in the
glass cylinder.
Set Up: Prior to conducting this experiment with your class, you will need to pour an even
amount of each liquid into the smaller cups (place these cups in the order that they will be
added). The liquids that you will need are: honey, corn syrup, maple syrup, whole milk, dish
soap, water, vegetable oil, rubbing alcohol, and lamp oil. It is important that all amounts are the
same for this experiment. Lastly, you may choose to add food colouring to the water and the
rubbing alcohol for an added effect!

Activity:
Once all of the liquids are poured equally into smaller cups, begin to pour the honey into the
glass cylinder. When pouring the honey, it is important to pour it straight to the bottom and avoid
it sliding down the sides of the cylinder. The same rules apply to the corn syrup and maple syrup,
which are the next two ingredients.

Next, using the turkey baster, pick up the milk, then the dish soap. Once again, it is important to
do this slowly to ensure that each level will be noticeable.

Once the milk and dish soap have been put in the cylinder, it is time to move onto the water. This
time hold the turkey baster across to the side of the cylinder, so the water slides down the side.
Do the same with the vegetable oil and rubbing alcohol.

When all layers are noticeably separated, it is time to begin putting in the objects. Remember to
place items in different locations to prevent too much movement in the liquid. It is important to
let each item settle before putting the next item in.

Questions:
Why do the liquids stay separated?
Why does the ping-pong ball float on the top?
Why do the liquids settle after each item is dropped in?
How do the items stay on their own level?

Theory: Each of the liquids in the experiment have a different level of density which allows
them to react differently to items entering the liquids. Water and vegetable oil are less dense than
other liquids, like the honey and corn syrup, which allows them to float on top of the heavier
liquids. The liquids that have a higher density will eventually make their way through the less
dense liquids because they are heavier.

References:

Challoner, J. (2016). Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects: Build, Invent, Create, Discover. New
York, NY: DK/Penguin Random House.

Amazing 9 Layer Density Tower - SICK Science! | Science Experiments | Steve Spangler
Science. (n.d.). Retrieved February 05, 2018,
from https://www.stevespanglerscience.com /lab/experiments/density-tower-magic-with-
science.