Hello, my fellow curious minds!
It’s Calie, bringing you another easy and captivating science experiment that’s sure to delight your little ones and spark their interest in the wonders of chemistry.
Today, we’re exploring the seemingly impossible act of mixing oil and water, with a colorful twist. This experiment, aptly named “Mixing Impossible,” is not only a visual treat but also a fantastic way to discuss concepts like density and miscibility (that’s a fancy word for whether things mix) in a fun, accessible way.
What You’ll Need
- Several drinking glasses
- Water
- Vegetable oil
- Liquid food coloring
- A toothpick (optional, but helpful)
Steps to Uncover the Unmixable
- Start With Predictions: Before diving in, have a chat about what everyone thinks will happen when oil and water are mixed. It’s a great way to engage critical thinking and make some initial hypotheses.
- Create Your Mixture: Pour about ½ cup of oil into one of the drinking glasses. Then, carefully add the same amount of water to the same glass. Observe how the two liquids interact with each other.
- Introduce a Splash of Color: Now, ponder together what might happen if a drop of water-based food coloring is added to the mix. Proceed to drop in the food coloring and watch closely. If the food coloring drop hesitates to break through the oil layer, gently nudge it with a toothpick.
- Discuss Observations: As the food coloring makes its way through the oil and bursts into color when it hits the water, discuss the observed reactions. This is the perfect moment to talk about density and why the food coloring sinks through the oil to mix with the water.
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes
This experiment beautifully illustrates the principle of density and the concept of miscibility. Oil and water don’t mix because they have different densities and are not miscible; the oil, being less dense, floats on top of the water.
When the water-based food coloring is added, it passes through the oil (because it’s not miscible with oil) and mixes with the water, revealing that it is denser than the oil but mixes with water due to its similar properties.
Why This Matters
Experiments like “Mixing Impossible” are not just fun activities but also fundamental learning experiences that lay the groundwork for understanding more complex scientific principles.
They show kids that science isn’t just something you read about in books; it’s a hands-on, dynamic field that explains how the world around us works.
More Experiments About Density
See Also: 100 Easy Science Experiments Your Kids Can Do At Home
So, grab your glasses, oil, and food coloring, and prepare for a fascinating exploration into the density and miscibility of liquids.
Happy experimenting,
Calie
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
