Density Rainbow Column - Science Projects for Kids

In this Density Column science experiment, I use the different daily household materials to make a colorful liquid stacking column. This is a good idea for parent-child family activity.

Age: 5+            Time: <20min

 Safety 

1. Adult supervision.
2. Do to touch the high concentration of alcohol with your bare hand.
3. keep the alcohol far from your kids.

 Materials List 

• Honey 20ml
• Corn syrup 20ml
• Washing soap 20ml
• Whole milk 20ml
• Water 20ml
• Cooking oil 20ml
• 95% alcohol 20ml
• Measuring cylinder (any transparent glass container)
• Dropper

 Instruction 

Step 1/2 – Dyed the water and alcohol with whatever color you want to make your density column more beautiful.

Step 2/2 – Start your column by adding with a dropper the honey into the cylinder and then Whole milk, washing soap, water, vegetable oil, alcohol. Make sure all of them are not touching the sides of the cylinder while you are adding it. No too much vibration.

 Troubleshooting 

Whole milk and washing soap are easy to mix together?

—The whole milk and the washing soap can dissolve together, but the difference in density can make them separate. You need to reduce the vibration and gently add them in the cylinder. Keep the dropper as close as to the surface of the liquid level can be helpful.

 Scientific Description 

It is the difference in density that makes the density column happen. Density is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume (density = mass divided by volume, P=M/V. P stands for density, M mass, and V volume.). Density is a measure of how tightly that “stuff” is packed together. The density of an object is determined by the substance of the object itself, usually, different substances have different densities. A substance with a low density can float on a substance with a high density. The density relationship in this experiment is honey > corn syrup > whole milk > dish soap > water > cooking oil > alcohol. So if we stack them in this order, they will stay balanced and not mix together. The ice cube floats on the water because it is less dense than water.
 

 Extensions 

1. Add coins, fruits, table tennis, and etc to see in what level they will stay.
2. You also can make a density column with just sugar and water. Look what we have done before. 

 Disposal 

Wash the liquid down into the sink and wash your measuring cylinder.

The difference in density is what makes this science experiment is. Check out below these easy experiments sharing the same principle that will help your little one better know the concept of density.  

Colorful Sugar Density Column

Suspended Egg

Homemade Lava Lamp

Convection Currents

Firework In A Jar

Shaving Cream Rain Clouds