I was making some instant coffee and it had clumped up...I was heating up some water to go and make coffee...

Then I just looked in the container and started to shake the container with the lid off a bit..that is when I knoticed the larger clumps of instant coffe mix moving to the surface slowly while the unclumped instant mix went to the bottom...

I was wondering why this happens...I think I remember doing this in science class a long long long time ago..hence grade school but I don't know what was taught about this phenomena.

I was just curious about this.
~Thanks~

Instant coffee is much less dense that water: look at the container weight and volume. If it does not dissolve, it floats. If it gets a little water in the jar, it will crystallize into harder lumps, which indeed float (until they dissolve).

I was speaking about when it is still in the container and the pieces are dry.

The thing is it isn't only happening with this. If I had sand and I had some rocks that were larger than the sand if it works the same like I think it will then if I had the mix in a bucket and started to shake it with a back and forth motion the rocks should move toward the surface. I was wondering why this occured.

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The clumping of instant coffee is caused by moisture in the air or from exposure to liquid. When the coffee granules come into contact with moisture, they stick together and form clumps. This is a common phenomenon with hygroscopic substances, which have a tendency to absorb water from the environment.

When you shook the container, the larger clumps of instant coffee moved towards the surface while the unclumped coffee mix went to the bottom due to a process called sedimentation. Sedimentation occurs because the larger clumps are denser and heavier than the individual coffee granules. As a result, they settle down towards the bottom due to the force of gravity. Meanwhile, the unclumped coffee granules, being smaller and lighter, float to the top.

To prevent clumping in instant coffee, it is important to store it in a cool, dry place and tightly seal the container after each use to minimize exposure to moisture. Moisture can be the result of high humidity or even steam from hot water. By keeping the coffee dry, you can prevent clumping and ensure a smooth, consistent cup of instant coffee.