Introduction to Density Lab
Stratification of ocean water is a naturally occurring phenomenon that is important to the structure, circulation and productivity of the oceans. The formation of vertical stratification in the water column is a consequences of water masses with different densities. Water density is strongly influenced by temperature and salinity; with less dense, warmer surface waters floating on top of denser, colder waters. The boundary between the warmer and cold waters is called the thermocline.
Is all water the same consistency? Does water have the same amount of salt and/or temperature throughtout?
Materials:
Two 250 ml beakers, one 500 ml beaker
Electronic scale
Glass stirring rod
Pickling salt, Water samples (warm and cold), and food coloring (yellow and blue)
Procedure:
1. Mass each empty 250 ml beaker. Record the weight of the beaker.
2. Measure 250 ml of "cold" water and place into Beaker #1 and the 250 ml of the "warm" water in Beaker #2.
3. To the "cold beaker", add 20g of salt and 5 drops of blue coloring.
4. Add 5 drops of yellow food coloring to the warm, fresh water.
5. Mass each beaker plus water and record mass.
Calculate the mass, volume and density of the water in each beaker.
Stratification of ocean water is a naturally occurring phenomenon that is important to the structure, circulation and productivity of the oceans. The formation of vertical stratification in the water column is a consequences of water masses with different densities. Water density is strongly influenced by temperature and salinity; with less dense, warmer surface waters floating on top of denser, colder waters. The boundary between the warmer and cold waters is called the thermocline.
Is all water the same consistency? Does water have the same amount of salt and/or temperature throughtout?
Materials:
Two 250 ml beakers, one 500 ml beaker
Electronic scale
Glass stirring rod
Pickling salt, Water samples (warm and cold), and food coloring (yellow and blue)
Procedure:
1. Mass each empty 250 ml beaker. Record the weight of the beaker.
2. Measure 250 ml of "cold" water and place into Beaker #1 and the 250 ml of the "warm" water in Beaker #2.
3. To the "cold beaker", add 20g of salt and 5 drops of blue coloring.
4. Add 5 drops of yellow food coloring to the warm, fresh water.
5. Mass each beaker plus water and record mass.
Calculate the mass, volume and density of the water in each beaker.