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General Physics Science Fair Project

Regular Coke vs. Diet Coke Density

Easy
Regular Coke vs. Diet Coke Density | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
Does a can of regular Coke behave differently from Diet Coke in water? You fill an aquarium with tap water and place both cans inside. The regular Coke sinks while the Diet Coke floats. Next you dissolve one kilogram of sugar into the water. This raises the water's density (how heavy the water is for its size). Now both cans float. The sugar in regular Coke makes it denser than plain water, but Diet Coke uses lighter sweeteners.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that Regular Coke and Diet Coke will both sink in water.

Method & Materials

You will fill an aquarium tank with water, place a can of regular Coke and a can of Diet Coke in the water, and observe whether the cans float or sink. You will also add 1 kg of sugar to the water and observe the cans again.
You will need an empty aquarium tank, a pail of tap water, a can of regular Coke, a can of Diet Coke, and 1 kg of sugar.

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Results

The results show that Diet Coke will float in tap water whereas Regular Coke will sink in it. However, when 1 kilogram of sugar is added to the water, both the Regular Coke and Diet Coke cans start to float in the water.

Why do this project?

This science project is interesting because it shows how the density of an object can affect whether it will sink or float in a medium.

Also Consider

Variations: 1. Repeat the experiment using turpentine or alcohol instead of water. 2. Try to compare the results by using different types of soda cans.

Full project details

Additional information and source material for this project are available below.

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