Curated OER
Sink or Float
Second graders explore floating and sinking and make predictions about whether certain objects are likely to sink or float. They read the story Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen. Pupils loacate rhyming words and discuss the events of...
Chem4kids
Chem4 Kids: Symbols in Chemical Equations
Chem4Kids! provides an overview of the symbols representing numerical values in chemical equations. Each symbol is defined and described.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Sinking and Floating Water
An experiment in density where colored water, both hot and cold, are poured into containers of water at room temperature. Students will observe that the warm water rises and the cold water sinks due to their different densities.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Solid and Liquid Density Investigation
For this activity, students investigate whether objects and liquids float or sink when placed in water. As they proceed, they will develop an understanding of what density is. Student handouts are provided.
Middle School Science
Mss: Density Demonstration: Coke vs. Diet Coke
In this demonstration, students will brainstorm to find a solution as to why Diet Coke floats and Coke sinks. Through this exercise students will arrive at a definition of density.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Eyedropper Hydrometer
Deepen the students' understanding of density by constructing a simple hydrometer that can be used to compare the densities of different solutions.
Other
The Science House: Daffy Densities
In this lab experiment, students will use 4 solids and 6 liquids to create colorful, layered rows demonstrating that less dense materials will float on top of the more dense materials.
Other
The Science House: Red, White, and Blue Ii
This colorful demonstration illustrates the rule, "likes dissolve likes," by combining three, immiscible liquids to create a density column." Teacher notes provide background information.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Specific Gravity
Wikipedia offers a brief explanation on what specific gravity is and why it is measured in terms of density of water. The equation for its measurement is also given.