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Lesson Plan
American Chemical Society

Comparing the Density of an Object to the Density of Water

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Investigators construct a makeshift balance and compare equal volumes of wax and water. They do the same for clay and water. Then they discover whether the wax and clay will float or sink in water. Ultimately this is a comparison of...
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Activity
Scholastic

Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Lab: That Sinking Feeling

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Simple experiments dealing with water temperature and density that you can complete in the lab and at home.
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Activity
Middle School Science

Mss: Density Demonstration: Coke vs. Diet Coke

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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.
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Buoyancy Brainteasers: Boat in Pool Puzzler

For Students 3rd - 8th
This interactive brainteaser from the NOVA: "Voyage of Doom" Web site challenges you to figure out what happens to the water level when a rock is resting in a boat and when it is submerged in water.
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Activity
University of Chicago

Center for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica: Don't Be Too Flaky

For Students 3rd - 8th
After reading some facts about the properties of water, students conduct experiments to measure the relative densities of water, ice and snow and submit the results to the website.
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Who Is on Top?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners investigate density in this activity when they try to find out if oil or water has a higher density.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Specific Gravity

For Students 9th - 10th
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.