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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Chemistry » Viscosity Races – investigating the flow of liquids

    Viscosity Races – investigating the flow of liquids

    April 23, 2012 By Emma Vanstone 14 Comments

    It is so annoying when getting to the end of a ketchup bottle, and you have to keep banging to get that last bit out. Why is this? Because ketchup is thick and does not flow as easily as other fluids. We call this resistance to flowing viscosity.

    The rate at which different fluids flow can vary considerably.

    So how about having races to test them?

    What you will need:

    Stopwatch/tape measure

    A ramp – we used a table that we took two legs off.

    Different fluids to test  

    We used whole milk, ketchup, chocolate sauce, orange juice and cooking oil

    Viscosity races - investigating the flow of fluids, Science Sparks
    The different fluids

    Deciding what to measure

    • you could decide to time how long it takes for all five fluid to reach the bottom of the table
    • you could decide to measure how far they have travelled after a certain time

    How to make the test fair

    You need to consider the things that could impact on it not being a fair test – this could include things like

    • ensuring the volume use use is the same for all fluids
    • ensuring that you time the flow for the same distance
    • ensuring that measure after a set time for each.
    • ensuring you repeat the investigation 3 times and take a mean result
    • The gradient of the ramp is the same for each fluid

    Method

    You can either do one at a time – this is easier for recording time, or tip them all at the same time if you want them to get to the bottom of the table.

    Let them flow for the set time you have decided, or time them until they all reach the bottom.

    You can record your results in a table.

    Viscosity races - investigating the flow of fluids, Science Sparks
    Tip and time!

    Results 

    Viscosity races - investigating the flow of fluids, Science Sparks
    Results table 1
    Viscosity races - investigating the flow of fluids, Science Sparks
    Results table 2

    We decided to wait until they got to the bottom but had to stop the experiment as it was clear the ketchup was never going to make it! Next time we will try with measuring the distance travelled!

    Have fun

    Kerry 

    Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

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    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Juliet Lewin

      April 23, 2012 at 8:44 am

      Thanks for inspiring me. I just love your blog.

      Reply
    2. dottycookie

      April 23, 2012 at 10:30 am

      I help to run an after school science club for KS2 children – this looks like a great mixture of messiness and investigation for some of our younger ones. Brilliant! Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Shiloh

      April 23, 2012 at 5:10 pm

      What a very fun experiment! Races are always fun.:)

      Reply
    4. claire

      April 24, 2012 at 9:29 am

      This looks fun 🙂 Thanks for joining us at Creative Mondays 🙂

      Reply
    5. Pinkoddy

      April 24, 2012 at 10:23 am

      I never knew it was called that. I love how you have introduced fair testing too.

      Reply
    6. Ann

      April 25, 2012 at 4:47 pm

      This is such a great idea! My kids would love doing this!!! Thanks!

      Reply
    7. Veronica

      April 25, 2012 at 10:27 pm

      What a fun idea. We’ll be saving this one for our kindergarten year. Nicely done!

      Reply
    8. Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories

      April 26, 2012 at 8:07 pm

      I love, LOVE the title of this post! Viscosity races – awesome. And the prediction making and conclusion making possibilities…this is great science learning and fun.

      Reply
    9. maggy, red ted art

      May 01, 2012 at 9:17 pm

      Oooh what fun fun fun! Science really is brilliant and you guys have so many great ideas each week!

      Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!

      Maggy & Alissa

      Reply
    10. shauna prinsloo

      October 10, 2012 at 10:49 am

      ohhhh how much i love science l just love it that much soo does joshua stanley from cathedral academy 🙂 <3

      Reply
    11. Jessica @ Play Trains!

      January 17, 2013 at 7:35 am

      Neat! I think my 3-year-old would like this a lot…races and condiments all in the same science activity.

      Reply
    12. isis

      February 24, 2016 at 2:19 pm

      i like peanut butter

      Reply
    13. Andrea

      February 13, 2017 at 11:07 pm

      Good day I would like to ask if there is a specific measurements like the measure of height and length of the ramp. btw thank you for the information.

      Reply
    14. Lisa M

      February 19, 2022 at 6:17 pm

      My students will LOVE this! Thank you!

      Reply

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