Final product

Two final density ladders

25 March 2013 - Final Experimenting

We got together and started working on our density ladder.

In a pepsi bottle, we added : (in order)
Honey
Coconut cream
Shampoo (coloured hot pink)
Milk (coloured orange)
Maple syrup
Soap (coloured pink and white)
Cough syrup
Water (coloured yellow)

However, the experiment failed, we were unable to identify liquids with similar colours (e.g. Maple syrup and cough syrup) and the liquids mixed with each other due to the lack of proper pouring.

We started the experiment a second time. This time we knew which liquids were denser. We poured the liquids in in this order :
Honey
Cough syrup (coloured reddish brown)
Maple syrup
Milk (coloured orange)
Shampoo ( Hot pink )
Soap ( white and pink mixed)
Water (yellow)
Oil

We excluded coconut cream as we saw that it was quite mixed with another liquid from our previous experiment. Also, water turned from Yellow to red due to the colouring in soap.

This second experiment was better compared to the first one as we knew which liquids to pour in first so that it wouldn't get mixed together easily.

However, many of the colours were similar and it was hard trying to differentiate them due to the like colours. The amount of liquids put in were also very little as we didn't prepare enough. There were also liquids such as oil, maple syrup, soap, shampoo and cough syrup found on the inner surface of the bottle. It looked unattractive and we decided to let it settle for the night.

The experiment was conducted a third time. This time, we had limited materials. We ran out of cough syrup and maple syrup and we had to make use of different brands of soaps.
The liquids were poured in in this order:
Honey
Milk
Shampoo
Washing Detergent
Water
Oil
Rubbing alcohol
Ethanol

This density ladder was the prettiest one. Although it had liquids at the side, the liquids slid down easily and settled the fastest

However the amount of liquids weren't enough and rubbing alcohol was mixed with ethanol. Some of the rubbing alcohol may have evaporated in the bottle

Experimenting - 23 March 2013

Part 1 - The 'Floaties'
Toothpick, paper and straw sinks in water

Part 2 - The 'Sinkies'
Paper clip and screw sinks in water

Experimenting - 18 March 2013

18/03/2013 - Experimenting

Part 1 : Water and Salt Water 

step 1 : mixing salt with water

 step 2 : preparing water

step 3 : colouring water red and salt water orange-yellow

step 4 :  adding salt water and water

step 5 : leave the solution to rest for 1 hour. however, the solution doesn't separate hence, salt water and water are miscible liquids

Part 2 : Water and Oil 

step 1 : water is coloured brown and oil is poured in

step 2 : water is denser than oil as water is at the bottom 

Part 3 : Soya Sauce and Oil 

step 1 : pour soya sauce into oil

step 2 : oil is less dense than soya sauce as it 'floats' on soya sauce

 Part 4 : Soap and water

step 1 : Water is coloured orange, soap is then poured in

step 2 : water and soap separates after a short period of time. soap is denser than water

Part 5 : Densities of objects with oil and water

step 1 :prepare oil and water

 step 2 : place objects into water and oil

step 3 : items such as rubber band (red strip) peanut shells (nuts) and paper clips are put in. Peanut shells are the least dense as they float on oil, followed by rubber bands that sink in oil but float in water and finally paper clips that sink in water

Part 6 : Oil, Water and Cough Syrup

step 1 : pour oil water and cough syrup

step 2 : oil is the least dense followed by water then at the bottom cough syrup

 Part 7 : Soap and Soya Sauce

step 1 : pour soap and soya sauce, soap is less dense than soya sauce

Research - Part 2

Densities of different liquids


Ethanol - 0.79g/cm³
Water @ 20°c –1.0g/cm³
Golden syrup - 1.5g/cm³
Honey –1.42g/cm³
Ice assuming 0°c – 0.916g/cm³
Candle wax – 0.93g/cm³
Golf balls – 1.15g/cm³

cooking oil(0.91 to 0.93 g/cm3)
salt water (1.025g/ml)
milk (1.02-1.05g/cm³)
coconut oil (0.924g/cm³)
grain,oats (0.41g/cm³)
paperclip (6.35 g/cm3)

Research - part 1

Steve Spangler - Density Ladder (YouTube)




Honey (1.36g /cm3)
Karo Syrup (1.33 g/cm3)
Dawn Dish Soap (1.03 g/cm3)
Water (1.00 g/cm3)
Vegetable Oil (0.91 g/cm3)
Rubbing Alcohol (0.87 g/cm3)
Lamp Oil (0.80 g/cm3)