Density-Mystery Canisters
Jenna M. LoDico
, University of South Florida
Initial Publication Date: December 12, 2013
For this lesson, we want students to become familiar with the concept density through the experimentation of placing different substances and objects into empty prescription pill bottles and placing them into fresh water. Also, we want students to understand that water's density is equal to one, and objects/solutions with a density greater than one will sink, and those with a density less than one will float.
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Context
Audience:
Sixth Grade Earth Science
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered:
mass, volume, denisty, how to measure mass and volume
How the activity is situated in the course:
part of metric review
National or State Education Standards addressed by this activity?:
Sunshine State Standards: The Nature of Matter, Standard 1: The student understands that all matter has observable, measurable properties. (SC.A.1.3)
1. Identifies various ways in which substances differ (e.g., mass, volume, shape, density, texture, and reaction to temperature and light).
1. Identifies various ways in which substances differ (e.g., mass, volume, shape, density, texture, and reaction to temperature and light).
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity:
density, mass, volume
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity:
synthesis of ideas, by measuring the density of different canisters, students should be able to transfer the idea that the density of water is one g/ml
Other skills goals for this activity:
operating analytical equipment, working in groups
Description of the activity/assignment
Assessing prior knowledge:
Describe what each of these items will do when placed in freshwater and explain why. Items: pencil, rock, piece of plastic, a small candle, an egg, piece of coral, regular Coke and Diet Coke.
Engagement:
Ask students to share their predictions. Demonstrate what happens to the listed items in small aquarium filled with freshwater. Ask if they think the results would change if the items were placed in saltwater.
Exploration:
Students are allowed a few minutes to create the three canisters that will (1) float, (2) sink, and (3) remain suspended. Students may have difficulty getting one of the canisters perfectly suspended. If the students can get the canister to suspend with less than half of the lid above the surface, they should get numbers that result in a density close to 1.0 g/ml.
Explanation:
Once the students have their canisters approved, they find the mass and volume of the canisters and calculate each density and fill out the provided mystery canister worksheet. They should notice that the floating vial has a density less than 1 g/ml, the sinking vial has a density greater than 1 g/ml, and the suspended vial has a density close to 1 g/ml. They then can make predictions about other canisters with given weights as whether they will float, sink, or be suspended in the tub of water.
Extensions:
Display a jar with water (can be colored with food coloring) and oil in it. Shake it. Ask the students what they think is occurring. Make the point that not only do objects have specific densities but so do liquids. If water has the density of 1 g/ml, then oil must be less dense. Does anyone think saltwater and freshwater have different densities (already touched upon during assessing prior knowledge)?
Can perform the experiment in saltwater tubs to see if students get different densities.
Describe what each of these items will do when placed in freshwater and explain why. Items: pencil, rock, piece of plastic, a small candle, an egg, piece of coral, regular Coke and Diet Coke.
Engagement:
Ask students to share their predictions. Demonstrate what happens to the listed items in small aquarium filled with freshwater. Ask if they think the results would change if the items were placed in saltwater.
Exploration:
Students are allowed a few minutes to create the three canisters that will (1) float, (2) sink, and (3) remain suspended. Students may have difficulty getting one of the canisters perfectly suspended. If the students can get the canister to suspend with less than half of the lid above the surface, they should get numbers that result in a density close to 1.0 g/ml.
Explanation:
Once the students have their canisters approved, they find the mass and volume of the canisters and calculate each density and fill out the provided mystery canister worksheet. They should notice that the floating vial has a density less than 1 g/ml, the sinking vial has a density greater than 1 g/ml, and the suspended vial has a density close to 1 g/ml. They then can make predictions about other canisters with given weights as whether they will float, sink, or be suspended in the tub of water.
Extensions:
Display a jar with water (can be colored with food coloring) and oil in it. Shake it. Ask the students what they think is occurring. Make the point that not only do objects have specific densities but so do liquids. If water has the density of 1 g/ml, then oil must be less dense. Does anyone think saltwater and freshwater have different densities (already touched upon during assessing prior knowledge)?
Can perform the experiment in saltwater tubs to see if students get different densities.
Determining whether students have met the goals
Evaluation/Assessment:
The students will demonstrate science understandings by:
1) Explaining out loud that substances with a density lower than one will float, and a substance with a density greater than one will sink
2) Complete the metric review worksheet correctly.
This will be completed the following day where students will be asked to write a summary of what they learned from the activity and complete metric review sheet.
The students will demonstrate science understandings by:
1) Explaining out loud that substances with a density lower than one will float, and a substance with a density greater than one will sink
2) Complete the metric review worksheet correctly.
This will be completed the following day where students will be asked to write a summary of what they learned from the activity and complete metric review sheet.
Download teaching materials and tips
- Activity Description/Assignment (Microsoft Word 104kB Nov28 05)
- Instructors Notes (Microsoft Word 32kB Nov28 05)
Other Materials
- Metric Review Worksheet (Microsoft Word 362kB Nov28 05)
- Mystery Canister Worksheet (Acrobat (PDF) 7kB Nov28 05)
- Oceans GK-12 Information sheet (Microsoft Word 21kB Nov28 05)
- Poster ED53A-0324 (Acrobat (PDF) 16.3MB Nov28 05)