This is a fun chemistry-type decoration for July 4th or any time you want a colorful demonstration of density layers. Use different colored lamp oils and food colors for other holidays. Adult supervision is required.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Minutes
Here's How:
- Mix red food coloring into the corn syrup until the desired color is attained.
- Slowly pour equal quantities of the colored corn syrup, lamp oil, and milk (in any order) into a clear column or plastic cup. Hint: You get minimal mixing by slowly pouring each liquid over the back of a disposable plastic spoon.
- Enjoy! The most dense liquid is at the bottom of the cup and the least dense liquid is near the top. Did you correctly predict the order of the colors?
Tips:
- Use different colored lamp oil and food coloring for other holidays.
- Lamp oil/kerosene is toxic, so keep your column out of the reach of children or pets.
- Fuel kerosene often comes in a red color, so if this is what you have available, you could use fuel oil with blue-dyed corn syrup and milk.
- Special thanks goes out to Andy Sae for this great holiday idea!
What You Need:
- Milk
- Blue kerosene lamp oil
- Light corn syrup
- Food coloring
- Clear column or cup
