1. A Chemistry Demonstration for Elementary School Students
What is Density?
A Chemistry Demonstration
for Elementary School Students
Elizabeth Stiles

2. What is density?
D= m/v or Density= mass/volume Density is more than just the “heaviness” or weight of a substance. It includes how much space an object takes up. In other words, density is determined by the “closeness” or “compactness” of atoms and molecules.

3. Density in liquids
Liquid density is determined by the amount of dissolved solids in a liquid solution. The more dissolved solids the more dense a liquid will be. Therefore, ocean water is more dense than cold water lakes. Lead floats in liquid mercury!

4. Creating a Density Column
DEMONSTRATION
Creating a Density Column
Materials:
Sugar
Water
Food coloring (red, yellow, blue)
Tablespoon
4 glasses or clear plastic cups
Spoon
Note: There are many variations of
this experiment online.

5. DEMONSTRATION Procedure: STEP ONE:
Line up 4 glasses. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar to the first glass, 2 tablespoons of sugar to the second glass, and 3 tablespoons of water to the third glass. The fourth glass remains empty.

6. DEMONSTRATION (cont.)
STEP TWO: Add 3 tablespoons of water to each of the first 3 glasses. Stir the solution to dissolve the sugar.

7. DEMONSTRATION (cont.) STEP 3:
Add 2-3 drops of red food coloring to the first glass, 2-3 drops of yellow food coloring to the second glass, and 2-3 drops of blue food coloring to the third glass. Stir each solution.

8. DEMONSTRATION (cont.)
STEP 4: Fill the fourth glass (empty glass) with about ¼ of the blue solution and carefully layer some of the yellow solution by putting a spoon in the glass just above the blue layer. Pour the solution over the back of the spoon, Repeat the procedure for the red solution.

9. DEMONSTRATION (cont.) Results of Several Rainbow Density Columns:
Using sugar and colored water
Using a variety of liquids with different densities including water, vegetable oil, dish soap, syrup and honey

10. DEMONSTRATION (cont.)
Conclusion: I completed this experiment two years ago in my own classroom using different types of liquids including oil, water, honey, dish soap, and syrup. I colored each liquid differently. The rainbow density column revealed several different layered colors. When repeating this experiment at home, I decided to try a different experiment using water with varied amounts of sugar. Unfortunately, the colored columns quickly mixed together before I was able to take a picture. The first experiment revealed the significance of density in liquids and the students loved seeing the rainbow colors!