Re: Are there THREE common solutions mutually non-miscible??

Mike,

You can make a three layered mixture.  Trouble is I'm not sure how long it 
will last.  I'll explain.

Basically, you have only 2 choices; non-polar molecules (like oil, 
glycerine, etc.) and polar molecules (water, ethanol, etc.).  However, the 
reason why one floats on top is due to the difference in densities. So, 
using a chemistry reference manual (which, by the way, I don't have with me 
so you'll have to do the legwork here), you should be able to find a 
non-polar substance which is immiscible in water and which is HEAVIER (more 
dense) than water.  Off the top of my head, a good bet would be a high 
molecular weight hydrocarbon like parrafin wax.  Mix oil(lowest 
density/nonpolar), water(middle density/polar) and parrafin wax(highest 
density/nonpolar) together and you might get the result you are looking 
for.  Even better, be patriotic:  COLOR the mixtures red, white and blue 
(white, red and white for us Canucks) using appropriate dyes!  That'll 
impress your class...a liquid flag!

Safety precaution:  Be especially careful about putting THIS flag near an 
open flame; parrafin wax is volatile! 

If parrafin doesn't work, keep experimenting and good luck! E-mail me at 
timoborn@hotmail.com and let me know how it worked!

Tim Oborn
Chemistry teacher-Calgary, Canada