Inquiry
3.1
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Building a Density Column
Do-it-yourself-in-your-own-kitchen Version
QUESTION: How do the densities of different liquids
compare?
MATERIALS: vegetable oil
water + food coloring
corn syrup
½ cup measuring cup
tall, skinny, clear glass
random objects
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DATA:
LIQUID
VOLUME
(mL)
MASS
(g)
Vegetable Oil
120
107.28
Corn Syrup
120
165.6
Water
120
120
CALCULATION
DENSITY
(g/mL)
DO THIS PROCEDURE:
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1. Use the numbers on the data table to calculate the densities of
vegetable oil, corn syrup, and water. Show your work and record
your answer.
2. Look carefully at the densities you calculated. Answer question 1.
3.
Measure ½ cup of corn syrup and pour it into the tall, skinny, clear
glass. Pour carefully!
4.
Measure ½ cup of vegetable oil and pour it into the glass containing
the corn syrup. Pour carefully!
5.
Measure ½ cup of colored water. Pour it very carefully into the
glass with the oil and syrup. Allow this density column to settle.
6.
Answer questions 2 – 4.
CONTINUED ON THE BACK…
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ANSWER
THESE
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Please use
complete
sentences
7.
Choose several objects to drop in your density column. Suggestions:
copper penny, eraser, rubberband, plastic pen cap, glass marble,
cork, paperclip, etc.
8.
Carefully drop your objects in. Draw and label each object in your
drawing on question 2.
QUESTIONS:
1. What do you predict will happen when you mix
together the vegetable oil, corn syrup, and water?
Explain your prediction and draw a picture of what
you think these liquids will look like inside a
graduated cylinder.
2. Draw a new picture of a graduated cylinder of what
the liquids look like. Label each one and label their
densities.
3. Do the liquids mix together (miscible) or form
distinct layers (immiscible)?
4. What is the relationship between the density of the
liquid and its position in the graduated cylinder?