Centripetal Liquid Vortex Column Density Stratification
A challenging, hands-on discovery and STEM project designed for curious young minds aged 10 to 14.
Materials Needed
- • Tall clear glass cylinder jar with lid (1 unit)
- • Dark corn syrup or pancake syrup (1/3 cup)
- • Blue dish soap (1/3 cup)
- • Water colored green with food dye (1/3 cup)
- • Vegetable oil (1/3 cup)
- • Rubbing alcohol colored red with food dye (1/3 cup)
Pro Tips
- → Layer liquids in order of density: corn syrup (heaviest), dish soap, colored water, vegetable oil, and colored rubbing alcohol (lightest).
- → Each liquid floats on the layer below it, forming five distinct color bands in the glass jar.
- → Swirl the jar in a tight circle on the table: the denser liquids swing outward toward the glass wall, while the lighter alcohol pulls into a center funnel.
Safety First
Keep rubbing alcohol away from heat sources. Pour liquids slowly down the jar side to avoid mixing layers.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Pour 3 cm of dark corn syrup into the bottom of a tall, clear glass jar as the dense base layer.
Step 2
Slowly drizzle equal layers of dish soap, colored water, vegetable oil, and colored rubbing alcohol down the side of the glass.
Step 3
Inspect the five distinct, floating color bands and drop in a grape and a plastic bead to observe layer suspension.
Step 4
Swirl the jar in tight horizontal circles on the table to observe how centripetal forces shape the layers into nested fluid cones.