sugar rainbow experiment

Sugar Rainbow- Density Science Project

Introduction: Sugar Rainbow- Density Science Project

This is a really very simple yet beautiful experiment that barely requires just sugar/salt and water to do. It works on the principle of density. Let's begin! :)

10 spoons of Sugar (Salt can be used instead)
Equal amount of water in 5 containers
Food colouring or paint
A pipette or dropper

Step 1: Take Equal Amount of Water in 5 Containers

take approx. an equal amount of room temperature water.

Step 2: Add a Different Colour to Each Container

Food colouring or paint can be used.

Step 3: Adding Sugar

Add spoons of sugar to the containers in the following order:

1st container - 0 spoons
2nd container - 1 spoon
3rd container - 2 spoons
4th container - 3 spoons
5th container - 4 spoons

And mix it till all the sugar is dissolved.

Step 4: Take a Glass Jar

Step 5: Order of Filling

the solutions should be filled in decreasing order of sugar. that is,

the colour with 4 spoons of sugar goes first, followed by 3 spoons, 2 spoons, 1 spoon and 0 spoons.

Step 6: Filling the Solutions

You have to fill up each colour one by one using the pipette or dropper very slowly , touching the side of the container (as shown in the picture) .

This is a very important step, if done otherwise, the solutions may mix together

This step requires a lot of patience! But the results are amazing too!

Step 7: The Science Behind It

it works on the principle of density.

The more the amount of sugar in water, the more is the density of water. A more dense liquid is heavier than a less dense liquid because a more dense liquid has more mass per unit volume as compared to a less dense liquid.

So, the water with less density (Less amount of sugar) will float over the water with more density (more amount of sugar) and not mix with it, which creates this beautiful rainbow effect.