Chemicals to get liquid density LOWER than water

[Da9L]

I figured out that one of my lamps needs a lower liquid density than water in order to flow! (All wax rises to top if i use Destilled water only)

So i just wanted to hear if anyone has some recommendations on what to use? I've tried Acetone, and it seems to work, but when the liquid is hot it seems to have a hard time mixing with the water.

[Da9L]

Im gonna try with vodka as Gwen also suggested.. Do you think some 40% would be good enough? Hehe Tim, good to drink you say.. How about the SLES in there :P

[Tim Gill]

I would say look for some vodka and try it - i think the alchole content is around 40% but it might be more.

I don't think SLES is any good to drink but it would be cool to make a functioning lava lamp which is drinkabable.

[Da9L]

Challenge accepted! I will try and see if i can get it running with liquids thats drinkable, which means only destilled water and vodka to start with :)

Tim Gill said:

I would say look for some vodka and try it - i think the alchole content is around 40% but it might be more.

I don't think SLES is any good to drink but it would be cool to make a functioning lava lamp which is drinkabable.

[Tim Gill]

I was kinda jocking but thinking about it just using DI water and vodka or just plain vodka could get the lamp working.

[Pierre Brazeau]

Sorry for barging in,but I can't help myself. My machinery handbook 22nd edition which old by now pg. 2278 has a scale

for different specific gravity of some liquids Ammonia has a specific gravity of 0.89 and can be mixed with water. I've

used this mix with dicomposing butternut outer shell to give me a coffee colored stain.

list of other specific gravities.

alcohol commercial=0.83

alcohol pure=0.79 your going to need a liquor licsence for this one,it's moonshine if my memory serves me well.

benzine=0.69

carbolic acid=0.96                     how about tonic water gone flat or what's that other clear drink mix, ahhhh taste yukky.

ether,sulphuric=0.72

mineral oil=0.92

naphtha=0.76

gasoline=0.70

kerosene0.80

turpentine oil=0.87

olive oil=0.92

palm oil0.97

linseed oil=0.94

cotton-seed oil=0.93

vinegar=1.08

water sea=1.03

ice=0.9

There a hydrometer which the book says is called the Baume' hydrometer it's designed to measure liquids heavier or

lighter than water. The scale in which you would read of the value of specific gravity on the Baume' is a value.

A little math is required to achieve your result liquids heavier than water is derived by this formula

145 devided by (145-degrees Baume')= sp gr. For liquids lighter than water the formula is

140 devided by (130 + degrees Baume'). The only thing you need now is a Baume' hydormeter + the formulas above and

presto the sky is the limit. I know some of the above listed specific gravities won't work for your project, I put them in for

curiosity sake, but some will work perfectly. If you know the specific gravity of the wax you plan on using this would make

a great hydrometer of sort to help you compare different liquids. Mind you some would probably disolve you waxy goo.

Sounds like you've got some fun experimenting ahead. Oh before I forget you get the specific gravity of any material you

want by getting the weight of one cubic foot of material in question and multiply it by 0.01604, or the weight of one cubic

inch of said material and divide the weight of one cubic inch by 0.0361. I hope this helps,probably more confusing than

anything else. I'll keep digging for more info if you wish.