Instead of pretending to be overjoyed by yet another math problem or story about Lad and the Fat Cat, I decided we would do a new science experiment. I thought I was excited until I saw the kids practically doing cartwheels! We happily gathered all of our supplies: water, food dye, vegetable oil, corn syrup, a bowl, and a large glass. (It was suppose to be molasses, but we didn't have any in the house.)
Eva mixed the water and food dye together while Xander carefully measured out 4 tablespoons of the mixture into the glass. Then we made our hypotheses on what would happen when we added in the oil. I could have made a lot of money on that bet if I actually allowed the kids to gamble. I should keep that in mind next time. "It will mix together," they stated with a great deal of confidence.No. It didn't. As surely as 15 was the answer to Xander's math problem, water and oil still do not mix. But what about corn syrup (or molasses)? "It will float! It will float!" At least I knew they were paying attention. I should have gone double or nothing for cleaning their playroom, but instead, I let Eva measure in 4 tablespoons of corn syrup.
As surely as Kit, Lad's fat cat, has six kittens, the corn syrup being a more dense liquid, sunk to the bottom, sending up little air bubbles. They tried to change the outcome by adding more of everything quickly and stirring rapidly. Although it did look mucky for a couple of minutes, all the liquids did eventually separate themselves by density. Corn syrup on bottom, colored water in between, and oil on top.
I can't wait to show the that raisins will both sink and float in lemonade and I think ginger ale. But first, I'm taking bets.
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