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b. PROCEDURE
Introduce density
o Things sink and float because of their density.
o Before we learn what density is, lets review some
vocabulary. Review the terms mass and volume.
o Density is the amount of matter that is in a given volume.
To make this definition a little easier to understand, think of
it as the amount of stuff packed together in a certain
amount of space.
o Compare to population density- If you think about Times
Square on New Years Eve, there are a ton of people in a
small area. Now think about Times Square during a
snowstorm. There wont be many people around. In the
same amount of space, there will be fewer people squished
together.
o Lets look at the bowling ball and balloon. They are about
the same size, or volume. A Bowling ball has a lot of mass
in that volume, but a balloon doesnt have much mass at
all. A bowling ball is very dense, like Times Square on New
Years Eve.
Connect density to floating and sinking
o Objects with high density will sink in water and objects
with a low density will float.
o Have students think about the pool float and the penny.
Turn and talk- discuss the volume, mass and density with a
partner to determine whether the object will sink or float.
o Go over the answers they come up with and write them on
the slide.
Connect density to states of matter.
o Lets go back to the states of matter. Turn and talk- Which
one is the most dense? Which one is the least?
o Point out that this is why many solids sink and thinks filled
with air will float.
Liquid density Lab
o Tell students that liquids can sink or float too. Explain that
we have four liquids and we will be pouring them into the
graduated cylinder. The liquids will be colored with food
coloring so you can see them better. Think about the
density of the liquids. What do you think will happen?
Have students fill in the first question in the packet and
draw what they think will happen.
o Have one student come up and pour the water in the
graduated cylinder.
o Have another student pour the honey in the graduated
cylinder. Ask for predictions.
o Have students come up to pour the dish soap and the milk
into the cylinder.
o Draw what happened to the liquids on the board as the
students draw it in their packets. Discuss why certain
liquids sunk to the bottom and others floated.
o Have students complete the rest of the questions and the
critical thinking questions on their own.
o If time allows, perform the experiment in another graduated
cylinder pouring the liquids in a different order (some
liquids will mix together and separate slowly and others
will quickly sink to the bottom of the container).
c. CLOSURE
What did we learn about the density of these liquids from this
experiment?
If there is time left over, have students share their critical thinking
questions and answers.
7. MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
Smart Board and projector
Density Smart Notebook presentation
Liquid Density Lab packets
Graduated cylinder
Liquids (honey, milk, water, dish soap) and food coloring
8. FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY/ASSIGNMENT
For homework, students will find every day objects that sink and float in water
and bring a list to the following class. Their ideas will be used to review relative
density and transition into instruction of calculated density.
9. EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT
Students will be evaluated based on their responses to the questions in the lab
packets.
10. DIFFERENTIATED
Struggling students will have critical thinking questions incorporating
things that have been touched upon throughout the lesson.
Gifted students will receive very high-level critical thinking questions.
11. RESOURCES
http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/49FC3DAF-2A6A-42B5-80DC9587487B0243/0/sciencescopeandsequence612_web.pdf