Name:___________________

Viscosity, Density, Surface Tension Lab

In this lab we have 4 liquids (acetone, water, light corn syrup, and vegetable oil) and 3 physical
properties that well be measuring and comparing.and using those properties to give us hindsight into
the strength of the intermolecular forces.

Viscosity

To measure the viscosity, we are going to invert a test tube, and measure the time (using a stop watch,
in seconds) it takes for a paper clip to fall to the bottom. Do this 2 times for each liquid, and average
the times.

Acetone Water Light Corn Syrup Vegetable Oil

Trial 1

Trial 2

Average time

Density

Use a graduated cylinder to determine the volume (1 decimal place), use a balance to determine the
mass (2 decimal place), then calculate the density of the 4 liquids (density = mass/volume) (3 sig figs).
Keep the graduated cylinders dedicated to each liquid.

Acetone Water Light Corn Syrup Vegetable Oil

Volume

(1 decimal place)

Mass

(2 decimal places)

Density

(3 sig figs)

Surface Tension

With a dropper add as many drops of the liquid onto the penny as possible, until the liquid spills off of
the penny. Keep the pennies on the tray to avoid a mess. Do this for all 4 liquids, and keep the
droppers and pennies dedicated to each liquid/penny.

Acetone Water Light Corn Syrup Vegetable Oil

# of drops
 Acetone

Water

Light Corn
syrup

Vegetable Oil

Questions

1. Did you notice any connection between the viscosity, density, and surface tension?

2. Look at the molecules given above. Do you notice any connection between the size or shape of
the molecule and the:

a. viscosity of the liquid?

b. density of the liquid?

c. surface tension of the liquid?