American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Density Sink and Float for Liquids
See how different liquids can have different densities depending on their molecular make-up.
Climate Literacy
Clean: What Happens to Ice in Water?
Students investigate the properties of water in the ice and liquid phase as it relates to convection in the ocean and density driven circulation, and ultimately the climate.
Other
Lapeer County Schools Science Resources: Density Lab
A simple lab experiment for students to find the density of two solids and a liquid (does not use water displacement). Note that number 1d should not state "weighs" since mass is being found.
Science Museum of Minnesota
Science Museum of Minnesota: Thinking Fountain: Density
An introduction to density, mass, and volume with links to related books and activities.
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies
Mocomi: Why Oil and Water Don't Mix
Investigate the science behind this age old question. Find out the role density and polarity play in the liquids.
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Density of Water
Discover how the molecular make-up of water affects its density.
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Temperature and Density
Learn how the molecular movement in different temperature water affects the density of the liquid.
My Science Site
Thinking Fountain: Liquid Layers [Pdf]
Students contrast the densities of oil and water in this lab activity. Can be done in groups or individually. This resource is in PDF form; requires Adobe Reader.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Water Density
Demonstrate the effect that dissolving different amounts of salt in water has on the density of the liquid.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Who Is on Top?
Learners investigate density in this activity when they try to find out if oil or water has a higher density.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Sink or Float: All Liquids Do Not Have the Same Density
An experiment in density. After a review of floating and sinking of different materials, students test four bottles, all holding four ounces of water, to see if they will float or sink. They each contain a different density of sugar...
Read Works
Read Works: Talk About Dense
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text explaining the density of solids and liquids. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Salt Volcano
By making oil float on water--with the help of other ingredients--students can create a lava-lite effect.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: States of Matter
Students act as chemical engineers and use LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robotics to record temperatures and learn about the three states of matter. Properties of matter can be measured in various ways, including volume, mass, density and...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Floaters and Sinkers
Through this curricular unit, students are introduced to the important concept of density. The focus is on the more easily understood densities of solids, but students may also explore the densities of liquids and gases. Students devise...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Floaters and Sinkers
This lesson introduces young scholars to the important concept of density. The focus is on the more easily understood densities of solids, but students can also explore the densities of liquids and gases. Young scholars devise methods to...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Chemistry Simulation: Going Fishing
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students will be able to change the mass and volume of an item and observe if it floats, sinks, or remains at a certain depth in the water. Students will also be able to change the liquid in level 2.
My Science Site
Life Systems: Cells, Tissues, Organs
Extensive site for teachers provides some helpful resources that pertain to plant and animal cells. Includes a microscope diagram as well as plant, animal and pond labs. Also contains links to structures and mechanisms, matter and...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: What's More Dense
Compare the density of water, corn oil and corn syrup by trying to float different items in each material and then putting all three liquids into one container.