Download Liquid Layers Lab

Names: ____________________________
Date: ___________
Period: ________
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You
have learned that the Earth is made up of three layers, the crust, mantle, and core. One question that scientist
asked for many years was how did Earth’s crust, mantle, and core form. Each of Earth’s layers is different. Each
layer is a different size, each layer is made of different materials, and most importantly each layer has a
different density. In this lab you will be given three liquids. Your objective is to layer these liquids on top of
each other in the same way that Earth’s layers are layered on top of each other. As you complete the lab, think
about what characteristics of the liquids causes them to layer and then compare them to Earth’s crust, mantle,
and core.
Materials: 3 liquids, dropper, test tube, cup
Problem: You must compare the densities of each liquid in order to make them form layers.
Observations: Observe the 3 liquids. What observations can you make about these liquids?
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5. ______________________________________
2. _____________________________________
6. ______________________________________
3. _____________________________________
7. ______________________________________
4. _____________________________________
8. ______________________________________
Inferences: What inferences can you make about the 3 liquids?
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4. ________________________________________________________________________________________
Question: What should your question be for this scientific problem?
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Hypothesis: What is your hypothesis for how the liquids will layer?
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Experiment: Follow the procedure below to discover the order of the liquid layers.
1. Test your hypothesis and use the dropper to slowly and carefully transfer the liquid you think should be at the
bottom into the test tube.
2. Slowly and carefully use the dropper to transfer the 2nd liquid into the test tube. If you observe that the 2nd
liquid mixes into the first you need to re-think your hypothesis. If the 2nd liquid forms a new layer continue on
with the experiment.
3. Continue with steps 1 & 2 until you have found the order of the three liquids.
In this box make a sketch of the liquids you have just layered. Color
the sketch with colored pencils.
4. Match each color of liquid with the correct layer of Earth.
Red = _______________________ Clear = _________________________ Blue = _____________________
5. Which color of liquid is the densest? Explain. __________________________________________________
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6. Which color of liquid is the least dense? Explain. _______________________________________________
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7. Explain why the core would be the Earth’s densest layer. _________________________________________
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8. What layer would be Earth’s least dense? Explain. ______________________________________________
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