Density Column Lab

Density is a fun concept at the beginning of the school year because it is the first exploration of hands on labs. The concept of density can be learned through displacement of liquids, or of objects with definite lengths. I particularly like the visual that the density column provides and making connections to prior common knowledge and making sense of it, through chemistry. It would be beneficial for students to be able to make connections to other cultural practices or concepts that bring the classroom to their home home and their personal experiences into the classroom.

The materials are also readily accessible. All you need is three liquids of three different densities and 4-6 objects of various densities. The students can make inferences as to why the liquids layer as they do and do the same for the objects. The concepts of mass and volume for liquids is also embedded in the lesson with students utilizing the graduated cylinder to measure specific amounts of the liquids. Then seeing how they add evenly on top of each other.

This science activity can be modified for all ages. It is a good display of the magic of science, and brings a great deal of understanding to a common concept.

Materials

• Vegetable Oil
• Water (with food coloring preferred)
• Corn Syrup
• Crayon
• Q-Tip
• Marble
• Paper Clip
• 100 mL graduated cylinder

Procedure

• Students will measure 20-25 mL of corn syrup, 20-25 mL of vegetable oil, and 20-25 mL of water with 3-5 drops of food coloring added (I did not do this part and it would have enchanced the difference in the layers).
• Students will add the liquids into the graduated cylinder and notes the layers
• Students then add the objects one at a time
• Ask students to take a picture and write observations

Try this out and leave a comment for reflections and suggestions!