MadSci Network: Chemistry
Query:

Subject: Why did all the liquids mix when we poured in rubbing alcohol?

Date: Mon Apr 23 18:24:14 2001
Posted by mindy
Grade level: 7-9 School: Newton County High School
City: Covington State/Province: GA Country: USA
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 988064654.Ch
Message:

I did an experiment with a 2nd grade class out of a Science Experiments book.  
You were to pour in 1/3 cup of mapel syrup, 1/3 cup of vegetable oil, 1/3 cup 
of red-dyed water, and 1/3 cup of blue-dyed alcohol, in that order..  All the 
liquids were separating as expected until we poured in the alcohol.  The 
alcohol just mixed everything together and turned everything a dark bluish-
black color.  What happened?  Why didn't it float on the top as the experiment 
said it would??? 

The alcohol's label we used
read:

70% Isopropyl
RUBBING ALCOHOL
Rubefacient/Topical Antimicrobial

The back label under the ACTIVE INGREDIENT read:
70% Isopropyl Alcohol by volume.  Also contains: water

Also on the back label under the NOTICE read:
Does not contain, nor is intended as substitute for grain or ethyl alcohol.

When reading the experiment, all we were asked to use was "alcohol", no
specific kind.

Out of the liquids we used: mapel syrup, cooking oil, water, and alcohol,
this is how they mixed:  The syrup which was poured in first stayed at the
bottom.  Next, we added the cooking oil which floated separately on top of
the syrup.  Then, we added the red-dyed water which floated on top of the
cooking oil.  And finally, we poured in the alcohol which immediately mixed
everything together... (we used 1/3 cup of each liquid so each had the same
amount.)  The question I have is why all the liquids mixed when we poured in
the alcohol.  My guess is it has something to do with the alcohol, but I
really don't have a reason or explanation, so what i need to know is why?

Thanx for your help!

-Mindy



Response:


Re: Why did all the liquids mix when we poured in rubbing alcohol?

Greetings - 

Please provide further specifics. As it stands it would be
difficult for us to find an answer to your question. 

Please resubmit questions online via http://www.madsci.org/submit.html

Hi Mindy - What type of alcohol did you use (ethanol, rubbing alcohol), and 
if you know, in what concentration was it (100%, 70%, etc)? Also, how were 
the liquids separated before you added the alcohol?
Thanks.

	Lynn Bry, Admin MadSci Network


_______________________________________________________________
I did an experiment with a 2nd grade class out of a Science Experiments book.  
You were to pour in 1/3 cup of mapel syrup, 1/3 cup of vegetable oil, 1/3 cup 
of red-dyed water, and 1/3 cup of blue-dyed alcohol, in that order..  All the 
liquids were separating as expected until we poured in the alcohol.  The 
alcohol just mixed everything together and turned everything a dark bluish-
black color.  What happened?  Why didn't it float on the top as the experiment 
said it would??? 


________________________________________________________________
MadSci Network
http://www.madsci.org/
webadmin@www.madsci.org



Re: Why did all the liquids mix when we poured in rubbing alcohol?

Current Queue | Current Queue for Chemistry | Chemistry archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Chemistry.



MadSci Home | Information | Search | Random Knowledge Generator | MadSci Archives | Mad Library | MAD Labs | MAD FAQs | Ask a ? | Join Us! | Help Support MadSci


MadSci Network, webadmin@www.madsci.org
© 1995-2001. All rights reserved.