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.
Video Preview Launch GizmoDensity 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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Use for 5 minutes a day.
LESSON MATERIALS:
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User Submitted Lesson Materials (4):
Google Doc of Student Exploration Sheet
In the file, click on the link to make a copy of the Google Doc of the Student Exploration Sheet.
Best For:
Earth/Space Science, Middle School Physical Science
Slice and Dice Excel Spreadsheet
This spreadsheet graphs mass vs. volume and displays the equation of the linear regression line of the da... (more)ta. The slope of the regression line represents the density of the substance. Use this to show students where the equation for density comes from and to show that density is a property of matter.
Best For:
Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Space Science, Middle School Life Science, Middle School Physical Science
Slice and Dice
This is the same lesson as provided except I replaced the charts with Excel so students can use Excel to ... (more)make their density calculations. It is meant for students to use when they are filling out their forms electronically rather than using a hard copy.
Best For:
5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade Science
Find Density of Unknown Object
Students will use the Density Slice and Dice gizmo will be used to reinforce the concept that density is ... (more)a characteristic properties.
Best For:
Middle School Physical Science
User Recommendations (5):
Very helpful in teaching students how to calculate density and to start to understand Specific Gravity.
Recommended for: Middle School Physical ScienceGizmo User from Illinois
Great as an intro and or pretest
Recommended for: Middle School Physical ScienceGizmo User from Florida
Volume and mass are major density misconceptions and this Gizmo can help!
Recommended for: Earth/Space Science, Middle School Physical ScienceGizmo User from Wisconsin
This is useful for reinforcing the idea that density is a characteristic property of a substance.
Recommended for: Middle School Physical ScienceGizmo User from New Jersey