Struggling to help my 5th grader understand the Liquid Density of Lamp Oil
Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2021 1:28 pm
My daughter has just done the Seven-Layer Density Column Science Fair experiment found here https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/la ... ty-column/
We are tracking that Lamp oil (refined kerosene) has an .81 density measurement and Rubbing Alcohol has a 0.79 density measurement.
Although the numbers are showing that the Alcohol is lighter than the Lamp Oil we are finding that the Lamp Oil floats on top of the Rubbing Alcohol, and we don’t understand why.
I was able to find this “explanation” within the narrative of the experiment.
"You’ll notice that according to the number, rubbing alcohol should float on top of the lamp oil; however, we know from our density of liquids experiment that the lamp oil is the top layer. Chemically speaking, lamp oil is nothing more than refined kerosene with coloring and fragrance added. "
This is where I am stumped…what does this explain exactly? I’m trying to understand how lamp oil is the top layer with a higher density measurement than the alcohol.
I can't get it! Please help...
Thank You
We are tracking that Lamp oil (refined kerosene) has an .81 density measurement and Rubbing Alcohol has a 0.79 density measurement.
Although the numbers are showing that the Alcohol is lighter than the Lamp Oil we are finding that the Lamp Oil floats on top of the Rubbing Alcohol, and we don’t understand why.
I was able to find this “explanation” within the narrative of the experiment.
"You’ll notice that according to the number, rubbing alcohol should float on top of the lamp oil; however, we know from our density of liquids experiment that the lamp oil is the top layer. Chemically speaking, lamp oil is nothing more than refined kerosene with coloring and fragrance added. "
This is where I am stumped…what does this explain exactly? I’m trying to understand how lamp oil is the top layer with a higher density measurement than the alcohol.
I can't get it! Please help...
Thank You