Friday, December 5, 2014

Density Columns Aligned with NGSS

 Make a density column with different liquids.  Have students experiment with a variety of liquids to discover the density of those liquids.  Some of the liquids you can experiment with are:

  • honey
  • corn syrup
  • dish soap
  • water
  • vegetable oil
  • rubbing alcohol
  • lamp oil
  • karo syrup



Have students label with sticky notes the different liquids.
Drop small objects into the liquids and see if the stay in place or sink.  



After the students explore on their own, you can give them more specific directions:


1. Start your column by pouring the honey into the cylinder. Now, you will pour each 
liquid SLOWLY into the container, one at a time. It is very important to pour the 
liquids slowly and into the center of the cylinder. Make sure that the liquids do not 
touch the sides of the cylinder while you are pouring. It’s okay if the liquids mix a 
little as you are pouring. The layers will always even themselves out because of 
the varying densities. Make sure you pour the liquids in the following order: 
. Honey 
. Karo syrup 
. Dish soap 
. Water 
. Vegetable oil 
. Rubbing alcohol 
. Lamp oil
.As you pour, the liquids will layer on top of one another. After you pour in the 
liquids you will have a seven-layer science experiment 

Science Behind it

The same amount of two different liquids will have different weights because they
have different masses. The liquids that weigh more (have a higher density) will
sink below the liquids that weigh less (have a lower density).







Science and Engineering Practices
1 Asking questions and defining problems
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
4. Analyzing and interpreting data
7. Engaging in argument from evidence
8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Disciplinary Core Ideas
MS-PS1 Matter and Its Interactions
Properties of Liquids

Crosscutting Concepts
Energy and Matter

Interactive Notebook Ideas








For the complete lesson and all the interactive notebook folds, nonfiction text and response pages see this lesson

 Density Column Lesson





Density column Lesson



Also available in this density bundle:  Save 20% by purchasing this bundle of lessons




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