Density Column Project
A density column is a cool demonstration of how different substances with different densities interact with each other.
We have watched a Steve Spangler video in class demonstrating this phenomenon (and you can watch it again at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3kodeQnQvU. Now YOU will create your own density column (but without all of
the mess).
This project is due ___________________________________ and will only be accepted 1 day late for 50% credit.
Remember, projects are worth 30% of your grade! Please read and follow ALL directions for each section to ensure you
get the best grade possible.
Part A: Creating a paper Density Column
Follow the directions on the attached page titled Part A.
Part B: Identify the Layers (2 steps)
1. Complete the table below to identify the “liquid” layers in your density column.
Liquid
Glycerin
Milk
Salt water
Vegetable Oil
Water
Density
1.26 g/mL
1.04 g/mL
1.07 g/mL
0.91 g/mL
1.0 g/mL
Color in Density Column
2. Identify the layers on your density column by writing the name of the liquid and its density next to the layers on
the paper. DON’T FORGET YOUR UNITS!
Part C: Objects in the Density Column (3 steps)
1. Complete the table below to identify the density of each of these solids. DON’T FORGET YOUR UNITS!
Object
Charcoal
Egg
Gold
Iron
Oak
Mass
3.12 g
3.18 g
250.9 g
39 g
11.16 g
Volume
15 cm3
9 cm3
13 cm3
5 cm3
12 cm3
Density
2. Objects sink or float in a liquid based on the density of the liquid and of the object. Complete the chart below
do identify if the objects will float or sink in each liquid. Write SINK or FLOAT.
Object
Charcoal
Egg
Gold
Iron
Oak
Glycerin
Milk
3. Follow the direction on the attached page titled Part C.
Salt water
Vegetable Oil
Water
Follow Up Questions (answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES)
1. What is density?
2. How do the number of black dots in each layer relate the liquid’s density and placement in the
column?
3. Explain HOW you would find the density of a liquid? Include how you determine the mass and volume
of a liquid.
4. Predict what would happen if you had an item with a density of 1.1 g/cm 3 dropped into this density
column you created. Why? (ex: Where would it float? Where would it sink? Would it be between
layers? Etc.) Put a
on your density column to represent this item.
5. Real World Application – Environmentalists are often concerned with oil spills in the ocean. If crude oil
has a density of 0.87 g/mL, and sea water (salt water) has a density of 1.07 g/mL, which substance
would be the most effective in cleaning up the oil spill – Dawn dish soap (D = 1.06 g/mL) or Glycerin
soap (D = 1.26 g/mL). Explain your answer.
Part A
Black dots represent the amount of Mass.
The box represents the amount of Volume
1. Color the boxes according to these
directions:
The Box with the most Mass (21 dots)- Green
The box with (15 dots) – Blue
The box with (12 dots) – Purple
The box with (8 dots) – Yellow
The box with least Mass (3 dots) – Pink
2. Cut and Paste to your graduated
cylinder on the long paper you were
given, creating a density column.
(HINT: Will something that is more
dense go on the bottom or top of the
column?)
Part C
1. Color each item.
2. Cut out each item and
Charcoal
Egg
Gold
Iron
Oak
paste it in the paper
density column where
it would belong based
on its density.
3. Label each item to the
side of the density
column with its name
and density (DON’T
FORGET YOUR UNITS!)