Final answer:
The food dyes form distinct zones due to diffusion, the movement of molecules from high to low concentration areas. Over time, the dyes will even out to create a uniform color. Temperature influences the diffusion rate, but ultimately, all dyes will reach an even distribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The food dyes diffuse to form distinct zones and do not immediately mix due to the process of diffusion. This process is a result of the random molecular motion, where molecules move from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration, thus spreading out the dyes until an even distribution is achieved. This free diffusion occurs because the dyes move through the water without any barriers inhibiting their spread. Over time, the dyes will blend together until there is a uniform concentration throughout the water.
Factors such as temperature affect the rate of diffusion, with higher temperatures generally increasing the rate at which diffusion occurs. The density of the dyes or their state (whether they are chemically inert or highly concentrated) may affect how they initially disperse, but ultimately, the dyes will become evenly distributed due to diffusion.