Salt Seperation

Using water and common household items, your children will demonstrate how two substances mixed together can be separated in the same container using a simple chemical reaction.

Fun Facts/Information:

• Density is the reason that objects sink or float.
• Solubility is the reason many things mix with water, like tea or Kool-Aid.
• Hot water mixes faster than cold water.

Materials:

• Rubbing Alcohol
• Water
• Salt
• Permanent Marker
• Bead
• Small clear container that can be sealed

Directions:

1. Fill up your container halfway with rubbing alcohol. (A higher percentage of rubbing alcohol will make a larger separation!)
2. Take the cap of the marker and swirl and stir the tip in the rubbing alcohol. It will absorb the ink and turn the alcohol the color of the marker.
3. Recap the marker and put a small bead in the solution.
4. Add water to fill up your container, leaving some room at the top.
5. Shake the container until the water and colored rubbing alcohol have mixed together.
6. Open the container and add a little salt.
7. Close the container and shake, allowing the salt to mix in the solution.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 as needed until you see the water and rubbing alcohol separate!

Follow-Up/Extensions:

• What other small objects could you put in the mixture to sink or float in it?



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