Laboratory Experiment 3 Density Tower: Batangas State University
Laboratory Experiment 3 Density Tower: Batangas State University
Laboratory Experiment 3 Density Tower: Batangas State University
LABORATORY EXPERIMENT 3
DENSITY TOWER
Make colourful layers using liquids of varying densities, then experiment to see which items sink or float
to each layer.
Pencil
Paper
Clear glass container
Turkey baster
Honey
Water
Food Coloring
Vegetable Oil
Corn syrup
Maple syrup
Dish soap
Milk (whole milk is preferred)
Rubbing Alcohol
Directions:
1. Ask your young scientist to rank each liquid based on how dense they think it is. Note their predictions
on the paper.
2. Carefully add the liquids to the clear container in order of their density.
(NOTE: The following instructions will show you how to add all 8 of the suggested liquids in order. You
don’t have to use all 8, just use what you have available. You can also let your scientist put them in the
order they predicted, but if any are out of order, it may take some time for the liquids to settle into their
own layers.)
a. First add the honey to the bottom of the clear container, being careful not to get it stuck
on the sides as it is poured.
b. Then slowly pour the corn syrup on top of the honey, again being careful not to get it
stuck on the side of the container.
c. Then slowly pour the maple syrup on top of the corn syrup, also being careful not to get
any stuck on the side of the container.
d. Next, add the milk. It’s easiest to use a turkey baster to slowly drop the milk on top of the
maple syrup. Try to keep the baster above the center of the container for best results.
e. Next is the dish soap layer. Also use the turkey baster to slowly drop the soap on top of
the milk, trying to keep the baster near the center of the container.
f. The next layer is colored water. Add a few drops of food coloring to your water and mix
it together before adding this layer to the density tower. Using the turkey baster, put the tip
against the side of the container to let the water pool on top of the dish soap.
g. Next, is the vegetable oil. Also use the turkey baster tip on the side of the container trick
for this liquid.
h. Last is the rubbing alcohol. Mix in a few drops of a different food coloring to
differentiate it from the other layers. Use the turkey baster to slowly let the liquid flow down the
inside of the container to make the final layer.
4. Have your scientist review their predicted order of the layers. Did the actual order
surprise them at all? Why or why not? What do they observe about each layer?
5. Now gather your sink or float objects. Have your scientist predict which objects they
think will sink or float on each layer. Write down the predictions on the paper.
6. Now the magic happens! Slowly drop your objects into the density tower. Which items
sink to the bottom? Which items stay on the top? Experiment!
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Rubric for Laboratory Experiment Report
EXPERIMENT NO.
TITLE:
I. INTRODUCTION
II. OBJECTIVES
III. MATERIALS/TOOLS/EQUIPMENT
IV. PROCEDURES
VI. CONCLUSION