Simple Science Experiment: Density

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Introducing the Density Science Experiment

We have officially finished day two of school for the school year.

We are eclectic homeschoolers, which means I pick and choose a variety of curriculum for our subjects. This year, we have decided to use Apologia Exploring Creation with General Science for our science lessons.

I’ve used Apologia in the past, but this is the first year I also purchased the companion notebook for each of my daughters. I am so glad I did! The notebooks definitely add to the reading since they require the students to answer questions, write sentences, and record science labs.

I’ve mentioned in the past that my daughters and I enjoy doing science experiments together at home. Well, today we had the opportunity to complete a simple science experiment for our science lesson concerning atoms and density. It reminded me of the girl in the book Jobs of a Preschooler on the page where she is a scientist.

“I’m a scientist…” from Jobs of a Preschooler

Conducting the Density Science Experiment

If you would like to replicate this simple experiment, gather the following supplies:

• tall clear jar
• 2/3 c vegetable oil
• 2/3 c water
• 2/3 c corn syrup
• small rock
• grape
• ice cube
• piece of cork

Once you have your supplies, you can follow these steps:

1. Pour vegetable oil in a glass.
2. Pour water in the glass.
3. Pour corn syrup in the glass.
4. Drop a rock, grape, ice cube, and cork into the glass.

So simple, yet fun to do. After writing the lab report in their notebooks, my daughters stirred the contents of the glass jar with a spoon to see what would happen.

I labeled a picture I took of the experiment for them to add to their notebooks along with their drawings of the different layers.

Explaining the Density Science Experiment

The science book we use explained the experiment in detail by discussing atoms, density, weight, particles, etc. But if you do not have a copy of Apologia Exploring Creation with General Science, you may want to check out the links below for more of an explanation.

• Britannica Kids – Density Video
• Teacherfreddie (YouTube) – What is Density Explanation for Kids Mass and Volume for Kids Explanation
• Science Sparks – What is Density?

Will you try this science experiment at home?

Exploring More Science Experiments

Even more science fun can be found in the Pickles, Pickles, I Like Pickles teacher’s guide.

Additional posts for more simple science fun at home include:

• Science Experiments To Try At Home
• Simple Science: Chemical Reaction
• Simple Science: Do Molecules Move Faster in Cold Water or Hot Water