What would happen if a cup of olive oil is poured into a container of ethanol?

Question

What would happen if a cup of olive oil is poured into a container of ethanol? Could you please provide a detailed explanation of the interaction between these two substances, including any observable reactions or changes? Thank you in advance for your help.

Adeline Goyette · Accepted Answer

Olive oil is denser than water, so it will sink to the bottom of the container.

Ethanol and olive oil are immiscible, and olive oil is denser than ethanol. When water is added to the mixture, it is miscible with ethanol and is denser than both ethanol and olive oil.

As the water mixes with the ethanol, the density of the water/ethanol layer increases and eventually exceeds the density of the olive oil. This causes the layers in the container to invert, allowing the olive oil to float.

Certain liquids are heavier, or "denser," than others. When you attempt to mix two liquids that have different densities, they separate when you stop mixing them. The "heavier" liquid settles at the bottom, while the "lighter" liquid remains on top. There exists a wide range of liquids with various densities; for example, molasses is among the most dense, while alcohol is one of the least dense liquids.

To understand why certain liquids mix together while others do not, consider these simple experiments from Educatall.com.

Madie Hilpert

What would happen if a cup of olive oil is poured into a container of ethanol?

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