Activity 1: Thinking about Density

Problem: What is the density of materials that float on water? What determines if a solid object will float or sink in water?

Hypothesis: Which blocks do you think will float or sink in a container of water? Support you answer with concepts you have learn about the physical properties of materials.

Materials: Density blocks and a container of with water

Procedure:

2. Place the density blocks on the table. Pick up each block one at a time.

3. Which block feels like it has the lightest mass? ___________________

4. Which block feels like it has the greatest mass? ___________________

5. Line up the density blocks from lightest mass to heaviest mass.

6. Think of a description that will enable you to identify each block. Use a descriptive color and the type of material to describe each block. This description will help you to identify each individual block.

7. Write down your labels in order from the lightest to heaviest mass in the data table.

8. Pick up each individual block and predict which blocks will sink and which blocks will float in a container of water. Write down your prediction in the data table. This is a hypothesis.

9. Test your hypothesis by placing each individual block into the container of water. Write your observations in the data table.

Analysis:

Which materials where you able to correctly indentify as to sinking or floating?

If water has a density of 1 gram per cubic centimeter, what is the density of the blocks that floated? Explain your answer.

If water has a density of 1 gram per cubic centimeter, what is the density of the blocks that sank? Explain your answer.