Part 1: Look-alike Liquids

How do two different clear colorless liquids appear on different surfaces?

In this activity, you will compare the way water and isopropyl alcohol appear on different surfaces, including wax paper, a plastic cup and a brown paper towel. Through the investigation, you will see that liquids have characteristic properties. In the upcoming investigations, you will use these characteristic properties to identify an unknown.

View a past student sample of Physical Properties of Liquids.

Materials needed for each group

• • Tap water

  • Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (70%)

  • 1 Small cup

  • 2 Droppers

  • Wax Paper (or Plastic bag)

  • Brown paper towel

  • Pencil

  • Safety goggles - to be worn throughout lab

Procedure

• 1. Wax paper test: If your droppers are not yet labeled W and A, label them now. If your wax paper is not yet labeled with a section for "Water" and a section for "Alcohol", use a permanent marker to label it now. Use droppers labeled W and A to place 1 drop each of water and alcohol in the correct location on piece of wax paper at the same time. Record your observations (evidence) on the Physical Properties of Liquids assignment sheet.

  2. Side of cup test: Carefully tilt a cup and use the dropper labeled W to place individual drops of water along the inside surface of the cup. Then carefully tilt the cup and use the dropper labeled A to place individual drops of alcohol along the inside surface of the cup. Record your observations on the Physical Properties of Liquids assignment sheet.

  3. Brown paper towel test: If your brown paper towel is not yet labeled with a section for "Water" and a section for "Alcohol", use a pencil to label it now. Use droppers labeled W and A to place 1 drop each of water and alcohol in the correct locations on a brown paper towel at the same time. Record your observations (evidence) on the Physical Properties of Liquids assignment sheet.

Physical Properties of Liquids Part 2

Physical Properties of Liquids Part 3-4

From Inquiry In Action