This experiment will explain that there are pockets of space between water molecules.
Things Required:
Measuring jar (see experiment How Much? for instructions)
1 cup of rubbing alcohol
7 cups of water
Measuring cup
Blue colouring
Directions:
Add five or six drops of food colouring to the water to make the water easier to see. Pour the coloured water into the measuring jar. Add 1 cup of rubbing alcohol to the coloured water.
Observe the height of the liquid.
This Is What Happens:
The liquid level is below the 2-cup mark.
Science Behind It:
The connection of water molecules forms small empty pockets (see the diagram). These pockets are filled with the alcohol, causing the combined volume to be less than two cups.
