This experiment will help you determine which liquid is the stickiest of all by doing a simple stickiness test.
Materials Needed:
- Water
- Cooking Oil
- Washing up liquid
- Syrup
- 4 Plastic Breakers/Cups (relatively the same size)
- 4 Marbles
What to do:
- Pour a different liquid into each one of the beakers/cups (make sure each one is at the same level).
- Drop a marble into each beaker/cup.
- Watch how long each one takes to reach the bottom of the beaker/cup.
The Science Factor:
The stickiness or how runny a liquid is, is called viscosity. Thick, gooey liquids liquids has a high viscosity and it is hard to make thinks move through them like marbles or spoons. Thin and runny liquids (like water), have low viscosity which means the marbles are able to move freely.
Hints and Tips:
- When adding the marble to each liquid, it's easier to do it one at a time so you can record how long it takes to reach the bottom of the beaker/cup.
- Did you know, the companies that make tomato sauce have to make sure the viscosity is just right, or the sauce will either stick to the bottom or come out too quickly.
- Try testing out different liquids around the house that haven't been mentioned.
