Sugar Water Density

Water with dissolved substances like sugar becomes more dense.  Density will determine if something will sink or float.  In this case, density allows for the different concentrations of sugar to allow the colored water to remain in distinct layers. 

• 5 clear cups- glass or plastic

• Food coloring

• Warm water

• Sugar

• Measuring spoons

• Syringe (this can be the type for giving children medicine)

• Tape or labels to indicate the contents of the cups/glasses

• Fill four glasses with warm water 1/4 cup

• Add sugar and color with the following ratios

  • Glass 1 

    • Add 2 drops of red food coloring and  1 tablespoon of sugar

  • Glass 2

    • Add 2 drops of yellow food coloring and 2 tablespoons of sugar

  • Glass 3

    • Add 2 drops of green food coloring and 3 tablespoons of sugar

  • Glass 4

    • Add 2 drops of blue food coloring and 4 tablespoons of sugar

It is important to completely dissolve the sugar! If the sugar is not completely dissolved the colors will not separate in the end.  Using warm water will help.

Once your solutions are set....

• Use the syringe to transfer about half of the blue water into the empty glass.

• Use the syringe to transfer about half of the green water into the glass that was empty at the beginning and now has 1/2 the blue water in it. (You will see both blue and green in this glass after this step, the green should sit on top of the blue)

• Add the red and then the yellow water using the same steps as above to create a rainbow effect.

If the colored water is carefully placed into the "rainbow" glass that is exactly what will be seen.  It is important to keep the "rainbow" glass still as colors will mix otherwise.  Colors will also blend a bit between each layer.

• Results may vary