Wendy Ni 3\5\14

630 Science
The Density Column Challenge

Goal:
In this lab, the goal is to construct a successful density column using the 5 liquids Corn
syrup, shampoo, rubbing alcohol, water, and cooking oil. A successful density column is when
the columns are layered from the densest layer on the bottom to the least on the top without
mixing.

Prediction:
The group decided on the following ordered from the densest to the least: Corn syrup,
shampoo, water, oil, and then alcohol.

Materials:

1 graduated cylinder.
1 mini graduated cylinder.
Paper towels.
1set of 5 mini beakers filled with corn syrup, water, cooking oil, shampoo, and rubbing
alcohol in each.
Another set of 5 mini beakers filled with corn syrup, water, cooking oil, shampoo, and
rubbing alcohol in each.
1 Calculator
1 Digital scale
Paper

Procedure:

1. Choose 2 liquids that you are unsure to make a conclusion about and layer a very small
amount inside the mini graduated cylinder. Pour the liquids slowly so they would not mix.
2. Collect the data of what has happen on the paper. Do they mix or made clear layers? Which
is denser? Then do 2 more trails by repeating step 1 again to and collect the data. After each
trail, wash out the liquid before you start the next.
3. When finished, make a prediction of what you think the order would be by drawing a
cylinder with layers and labeling each layer of what you predict.
4. Set up the paper towels and place the graduated cylinder on top of the paper towels. Its time
to test if the hypothesis was correct!
5. Carefully and slowly pour each liquid in the order of your hypothesis. Layer each liquid 20
mL into the cylinder. Record data. If the liquids made clear lines, your prediction is correct!
6. Weigh each beaker on the scale. Find the density by recording each of the weight by
recording each of the weight of the beaker. An empty beakers weight is 10g. to find the net
mass; you need to subtract 10 from the weight, because you only want the weight of the
liquid only. For example, water is 56.9g when you weigh it on the scale. Subtract 10 to find
the net mass is 46.9. Then to find the net mass divided by the volume 50 ML. You would get
0.94.



7. When finished finding the net mass of each beaker, use a calculator and divide each object
by the net mass by the volume, (50ML) to get the density of each liquid.
Remember: Mass Volume = Density

Diagram:














Results/Data:

Mini Trials
















Liquid Total Mass
(with beaker)
Net Mass
(without beaker)
Volume (mL) Density
g\mL
Corn syrup 77.3 67.3 50 mL 1.35
Shampoo 60.6 50.6 50 mL 1.01
Water 56.9 46.9 50 mL 0.94
Rubbing
Alcohol
51 41 50 mL 0.82
Cooking oil 52.9 42.9 50 mL 0.86























Conclusion:

Overall, corn syrup was the densest, proven in both the chart and on the graduated
cylinder. Next comes shampoo, then water, cooking oil, and alcohol, which was the least
dense. This shows that corn syrup is the thickest layer; the mass was the greatest so the
density is the biggest too. My original hypothesis is correct. The density column was a
success without any layers mixing. Some limitations that could have affected the data might
be that the different scales would weigh the liquids slightly different so the data would be
different. Some groups would have poured the liquid in not carefully, which could have mix
the liquids and affect the data when it shouldnt.
The density column is like the atmosphere. The lower you go down the atmosphere, the
more air molecules and air pressure are pressing against you. As you go higher up, the air
molecules are less and spread more around. There are more in the bottom because of gravity
pulling them down. But the molecules have so much energy bouncing together; some
overcomes gravity and goes up. Just like in the density column, the densest layer is on the
bottom and the least dense layer is on the top, just like the atmosphere.