Density Experiments

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Chris Ramsell
Chris.Ramsell@KLA-Tencor.com

What to Do

1. Fill a large clear container with water. Set various objects on the table:

Ask children to guess what will float or sink and then try

Explain: Objects sink if they are denser than water and float if they are less dense than water.

What is Density? It is how much of a thing (Mass) occupies same space (Volume).
Density = Mass / Volume.

2. If you can put more Mass in the same Volume then the density increases.
Setup: scale; 3 jars of oil, water and corn syrup; extra oil, water, corn syrup; test tubes for each child; empty jar and stones; block of wood and metal of same size

3. If you can decrease the Volume for the same Mass then also density increases
Setup: Equal sized Aluminum foils for each child. Mallets, board

4. Can we increase the density of water?
Setup: 2 beakers of water, salt, grape, food coloring, 3 large test tubes

5. Show Cartesian diver. Ask them to squeeze it, little one’s can hug it. What happens and why?

6. Point children to the floating orange. Ask them to try the same with a peeled orange at home. Will it float or sink?