Settling Layers According to Density

Approximate time to complete: 10-15 minutes + questions and journal time

Experiment Card

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Purpose

When Earth first formed, there were particles everywhere moving like crazy. When things began to settle down, the denser particles sank, while the less dense particles stayed at the surface. I wonder what will happen if I pour these 3 different liquids into a new container.

Materials

• 4 Beakers or Clear Cups
• 10 mL Water
• 10 mL Oil
• 10 mL Honey

*Exact measurements can be substituted for equal parts water, oil, and honey

Procedure

1. Pour 10 mL water into one beaker, 10 mL oil into another beaker, and 10 mL honey into a third beaker.
2. Place an empty beaker in front of you.
3. Pour water into the beaker.
4. Pour oil into beaker – observe what happens.
5. Pour honey into beaker – observe what happens.

Questions & Further Research

1. Can you list the liquids (water, oil, and honey) from least dense to most dense?
2. Do you think the particles in the densest liquid are closer together, or further apart than the particles in the least dense liquid?  Why?