Gaps between them
Stir two spoons of sugar into half a glass of water. The sugar seems to vanish, or disappear. Where did it go?
Step 1 of 4
- Water is made of particles. There is space between them.
- A grain of sugar is added.
- Stirring breaks the grain into particles. They go into the spaces.
- Stirring lowers the level a little. It stays above the start.
New word
- Interparticle space — the empty gap between one particle and the next.
The rule
The sugar broke into tiny particles. They went into the gaps between the water particles.
There are gaps between particles. These gaps are called interparticle spaces. Dissolved sugar goes into the gaps between water particles.
Sand does not dissolve. It sinks and takes up room. So the water level goes up.
Watch out!
The gaps are not full of air. There is nothing at all in them.
Add sugar or sand. Then stir. Watch the level.
Loading lab…