The Brief

Layer different liquids in a glass and discover how and why they settle in a certain order.   

Materials

A glass cup

Honey/Golden syrup

Oil

Water

The Method

Measure out equal quantities of each liquid. Add them to the glass, one by one. Try weighing each liquid before you add it and predict which order the liquids will settle in. The layers may be a little mixed at first. Allow them to settle for a moment and watch the layers start to define.

Now try finding a variety of small items (a coin, a paperclip, an elastic band, a small ball of plasticine, a bead) and predict where you think each item will settle.  Drop them in and see if your prediction was correct!