Measurement and lab skills

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    Triple Beam Balance

    Learn how to determine the mass of an object using a triple beam balance. The mass of a variety of objects can be determined using this simulated version of a common real-world laboratory tool for measurement.

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    Density Laboratory

    With a scale to measure mass, a graduated cylinder to measure volume, and a large beaker of liquid to observe flotation, the relationship between mass, volume, density, and flotation can be investigated. The density of the liquid in the beaker can be adjusted, and a variety of objects can be studied during the investigation.

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    Determining Density via Water Displacement

    Drop objects in a beaker that is filled with water, and measure the water that flows over the edge. Using Archimedes' principle, determine the density of objects based on the amount of displaced water.

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    Density Experiment: Slice and Dice

    Drop a chunk of material in a beaker of water and observe whether it sinks or floats. Cut the chunk into smaller pieces of any size, and observe what happens as they are dropped in the beaker. The mass and volume of each chunk can be measured to gain a clear understanding of density and buoyancy.

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    Reading Topographic Maps

    Understand how topographic maps work by creating a three-dimensional landscape and observing the corresponding contour lines. See how mountains, depressions, valleys and cliffs are represented on topographic maps. Fill in the landscape with water to demonstrate that contours are lines of constant elevation.

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    Building Topographical Maps

    Build a topographic map by flooding a three dimensional landscape with water and drawing contour lines. Analyze the topographic maps that you create by measuring slope and drawing profiles.

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    Weather Maps

    Learn about standard symbols used in meteorology to construct weather maps. Rain, sleet, snow, temperature, cloud cover, wind speed and direction, and atmospheric pressure can all be recorded at two different weather stations on a map.

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    Ocean Mapping

    Use a sonar on a boat to remotely measure the depth of an ocean at various locations. Gain an understanding on how topographical maps and 3D models are created after data collection, even when complete information is not provided (data can be limited).

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    Household Energy Usage

    Explore the energy used by many household appliances, such as television sets, hair dryers, lights, computers, etc. Make estimates for how long each item is used on a daily basis to get an estimate for the total power consumed during a day, a week, a month, and a year, and how that relates to consumer costs and environmental impact.