A jar of five layered liquids gives this 3-page 5th grade science worksheet its picture. Students use a density key (honey 1.40, dish soap 1.06, water 1.00, vegetable oil 0.92 and rubbing alcohol 0.79 g/cm³) to name each of the five numbered layers. Then they predict where a grape, a plastic cap and a steel bolt come to rest and explain why the liquids stay apart. Page 3 holds the answer key.
“Order liquids by density using a table of values.”
Part 1 asks for all five layers from the density key.
“Predict where an object will rest by comparing its density with each liquid.”
Part 2 gives the grape, plastic cap and steel bolt.
“Explain why liquids of different densities form layers.”
The Part 3 question asks students to use the word density.
A jar with five numbered pointer lines, a word bank and a table of densities. Students write the liquid for each layer, with layers 5 to 2 on page 1 and layer 1, the bottom, at the top of page 2.
A table gives a grape at about 1.05, a plastic cap at about 0.90 and a steel bolt at 7.80 g/cm³. Students write where each one will stop in the jar.
One written question on why the five liquids stay in separate layers, which must use the word density.
The five layers from rubbing alcohol at the top to honey at the bottom, where each object rests and a model explanation.
Run the real jar
Pour the liquids slowly down the side of a clear cup and let students compare it with their diagram. Do the pouring yourself, and keep the rubbing alcohol away from faces.
Grape talk
The grape at 1.05 sits between water at 1.00 and dish soap at 1.06. Ask students which two layers it touches before they write.
Number line
Draw a density number line on the board from 0.79 to 1.40 and place each liquid and object on it. Where the object lands on the line is where it lands in the jar.
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