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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