Sink or Float?
In this demonstration, the densities of solid water (ice) and liquid water were compared against each other and against the densities of oil and alcohol. To be able to visulaize the experiment, food coloring should be added to water to make different colored ice cubes. In this first trial, the yellow ice floated in the water. Therefore, solid water is less dense than liquid water.
When the ice melted, the yellow water dispersed into the original water. This illustrated equal density.
After the blue ice was dropped into olive oil, it floated. Solid water is less dense than olive oil.
As the ice melted, blue droplets of liquid sunk to the bottom of the glass. Eventually all of the liquid water was separated from the olive oil layer above it because liquid water is denser.
When the green ice was dropped into a glass of 70% isopropyl alcohol, it immediately sunk to the bottom. Solid water is denser than isopropyl alcohol.
As the ice melted into green liquid water, it remained at the bottom of the glass. Liquid water is also more dense than isopropyl alcohol. Try this experiment with other forms of solids and liquids like frozen corn oil.
