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 Printable Version for your convenience!
Title - An Oil Slick - Immiscible Solutions in Water
By - Lisa Rorabaugh
Primary Subject - Science
Secondary Subjects -
Grade Level - 5th and 6th
I. Title
An Oil Slick Immiscible Solution
II. Grade Level: Fifth and Sixth Grade
III. Introduction
The teacher will show the students a power point presentation that introduces them to oil spills that have occurred in our environment. Examples and pictures of oil spills will be shown. Brief facts will be explained about the oil spill of the Exxon Valdez. In the pictures, the students will be able to see how the oil sits on top of the water and how visible it is compared to the regular water in the ocean. This is called an immiscible solution, which is a substance that does not dissolve in each other. Other examples include gasoline and water, salad dressing and water, and oil and vinegar. Oil spills occur around the world and can be harmful towards marine life and the water they swim in. Students will then have the chance to create a small oil spill with vegetable oil and cocoa. They will have the opportunity to use different objects provided for them to separate the oil from the water and discover which works best by observation.
IV. Objectives
The student's will experiment with different objects in cleaning up an immiscible solution. They will try to clean up as much oil as possible while leaving the same amount of water in the bowl.
Students will also research the 1990 Exxon Valdez oil spill on the computer using Internet explorer and a search engine. Their task is to find pictures of this event and as many facts as they can find. Also they must research on the computer the ways in which an oil spill can be cleaned up.
V. Materials required
Computer Lab
75 cotton balls (15 per pair)
12 spoons (2 per pair)
6 large bowls (1 per pair)
12 cups of water
6 strainers (1 per pair)
1 bottle of vegetable oil for class
2 roles of paper towels
6 tablespoon measurements
Newspaper
Hershey's Cocoa-1 teaspoon
6 small bowls to put oil into when separating
the solution
VI. Safety Rules
Work in pairs of two. Follow directions carefully when given by the teacher. DO NOT taste any liquids mixed into the bowl. No "horse play" during the experiment. DO NOT be careless with materials or create a mess. Report any accidents or spills to the teacher immediately. When finished, dispose of the immiscible solution in the sink. The solution is non-toxic so it is safe to be washed away in the sink with water and soap. Place all cotton balls, paper towels, and newspapers in the wastebasket when finished also.
VII. Procedure
1. Work in pairs of two.
2. Listen carefully to directions given by the
teacher. We will be stopping to make
observations so it is important that you hear
what's going on.
3. Measure out 12 cups of water and pour into a
large bowl.
4. Take 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil and pour
into the smaller bowl on your table.
5. Measure out 1 teaspoon of Hershey's Cocoa and
place into the small bowl with vegetable oil.
Mix both well until it is a dark brown color;
make sure there are no clumps of cocoa left.
6. Poor the dark brown mixture into the large
bowl with water in it. DO NOT MIX!
OBSERVE WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN THE OIL AND WATER
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION #1:
DID THE OIL SPREAD OR STAY IN THE MIDDLE?
____________________________________________
QUESTION #2:
DOES THE OIL STAY ON TOP OF THE WATER OR DID IT SINK TO THE BOTTOM?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. As a pair, you will take the two spoons and
try to get out as much oil as possible.
Remember that the objective is to get rid of
as much oil but leave as much water. Place the
oil into the small bowl when separating.
8. Next, the two of you will take the cotton
balls and try to obtain as much oil out of the
water as possible. Place oil into the small
bowl when separating.
QUESTION #3:
OUT OF THE TWO OBJECTS WE'VE USED TO TRY AND SEPARATE THE OIL FROM THE WATER, WHICH ONE GRABBED THE OIL BETTER? EXPLAIN WHY? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. A third object you will be using is a paper
towel. The object is to obtain as much oil as
possible so be careful not to put the whole
paper towel into the solution. Try dabbing
places of oil, as you will see the paper towel
turn brown when doing correctly.
10. The last object to be used will be the
strainer provided for you on your table.
Carefully dip the strainer into the solution,
as not to mix it up. As you're carefully
dipping the strainer in, carefully bring it
out. Use a paper towel to catch the remaining
oil underneath the strainer. Also, before
redipping the strainer wipe all the oil out so
you don't replace it back in the solution.
QUESTION #4:
OUT OF THE FOUR OBJECTS WE'VE USED TO SEPARATE THE OIL FROM THE WATER, WHICH WERE PRODUCTIVE IN CATCHING THE OIL? EXPLAIN WHY?
QUESTION #5:
IS THERE ANY OTHER WAYS YOU WOULD TRY TO SEPARATE THE OIL FROM THE WATER? EXPLAIN WHAT YOU WOULD USE AND HOW?
11. Let's review and answer some questions before
cleaning up!
12. Carefully dispose of all solutions (non-
toxic) in the sink. Throw away all paper
towels, cotton balls, and newspapers in the
trashcan. Clean all materials with the soap
provided by the sink. Make sure to wash
hands and wipe off all the tables with a
clean paper towel.
VIII. Questions
1. When an oil spill occurs in the ocean like the
Exxon Valdez, What are some of the effects to
life in the ocean?
2. What would be worse, an oil spill in the middle
of the ocean or one that occurred close to
shore?
3. Is there any other ways you would try to
separate the oil from the water? Explain what
you would use and how?
4. Why is it that the oil stays on top of the
water? (Hint: densities are important)
5. Now that you know what an immiscible solution
is, give 2 examples of one and explain why
they you chose them.
6. Go to your local library and research the
Exxon Valdez oil spill. What methods were
used in the cleaning up of the oil? In your
opinion, what would have happened to the oil
in the ocean if it was never cleaned up by the
thousands of workers?
IX. References
Posters:
Hodgson, Bryan. Alaska's Big Spill-Can the Wilderness Heal? National Geographic,
Jan. 1990, VOL. 177, No. 1, pg. 5-25.
E-Mail Lisa Rorabaugh!
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