Down to Earth | Things happen! | Fossil fuels | Learning activities | Activity 1: Oil and water investigation | Oil and
water investigation
Oil and water investigation
In this investigation you will learn about what happens when you mix oil
with water.
To complete this activity
1. Read the whole activity sheet carefully before you begin.
2. Carry out your investigation by following the instructions below.
3. Record your predictions and answer the questions in the spaces
provided.
Remember! Include this activity sheet, along with any photos or
additional drawings, in your portfolio.
Planning
In this investigation we will be finding out what happens when oil mixes with water.
Read through this whole worksheet before you start the investigation.
You will need:
 a large glass jar with wide neck and lid
 half a cup of vegetable oil
 blue food colouring
 a cork.
© WestOne Services 2011
INTEGRATED1677
Page 1 of 5
Down to Earth | Things happen! | Fossil fuels | Learning activities | Activity 1: Oil and water investigation | Oil and
water investigation
Prediction (what will happen?)
Before scientists begin an investigation they make a prediction. You make a
prediction using the information you already have to guess what is going to happen.
What do you think will happen when you pour the oil on the water?
Conducting
Steps to follow
1.
Fill the jar two-thirds of the way with water. Add blue food colouring to show the
ocean. Wait a while for it to settle before starting the next step.
2.
Pour one centimetre of vegetable oil into the jar.
Draw and label a diagram to show what happens at steps 1 and 2.
© WestOne Services 2011
INTEGRATED1677
Page 2 of 5
Down to Earth | Things happen! | Fossil fuels | Learning activities | Activity 1: Oil and water investigation | Oil and
water investigation
3.
What happens if you drop a cork into the jar?
Draw and label a diagram to show what happens at step 3.
4.
Put the lid back on tightly and shake the bottle. What happens?
Draw and label a diagram to show what happens at step 4.
© WestOne Services 2011
INTEGRATED1677
Page 3 of 5
Down to Earth | Things happen! | Fossil fuels | Learning activities | Activity 1: Oil and water investigation | Oil and
water investigation
5.
Imagine the water in the jar is the ocean. What do you think would happen to
birds that float on the surface?
6.
What might happen to fish and other sea life?
Processing and evaluating (what did you find out?)
What have you learnt from doing this investigation?
How do your findings compare with your prediction?
© WestOne Services 2011
INTEGRATED1677
Page 4 of 5
Down to Earth | Things happen! | Fossil fuels | Learning activities | Activity 1: Oil and water investigation | Oil and
water investigation
What does this information mean to you?
© WestOne Services 2011
INTEGRATED1677
Page 5 of 5