Themes > Science > Earth Sciences > Hydrology, Meteorology, Climatology > Hydrology > Oceans > Experiments with the CyberScientist > Saltwater vs. Freshwater, which is Heavier?


Does a cup of saltwater weigh more than a cup of fresh water? Let's find out!As always, make sure you have permission of an adult before you begin any experiment.

All you need is:

  • measuring cup
  • Jar
  • Water
  • Scale
  • Salt

Here's what you do:

  1. Fill the measuring cup with one cup of water and use the scale to measure how much it weighs. Write it down.
  2. In the jar, pour a little more than a cup of water. Stir in as much salt as the water will hold.
  3. Pour one cup of the saltwater into the measuring cup and weigh it. Write it down. Does the saltwater or freshwater weigh more?

What's the result?

Though there were equal volumes of the saltwater and the freshwater (one cup each), the saltwater weighed more. This means it is heavier and thus more dense than the freshwater.


Information provided by: http://www.onr.navy.mil