MadSci Network: Chemistry |
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?
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Chemistry.