Float or Sink? - Spearfish School District

S-50Name:________________________________Class:_________________Date:____________Float or Sink?Dear Parent or Guardian,We are learning how to calculate density using mass and volume. This activity will help buildscience skills in using formulas and graphing data. I hope you enjoy this activity with me. Thisassignment is due _______________.Sincerely,_________________________________OBJECTIVE To understand how the relationship between mass and volume relates towhether an object will float or sink in water.MATERIALS 1 tablespoon of butter or margarine1 metal paper clip 1 penny 1 small pebble1 small chunk of foam— not sponge (e.g., packing peanut, part of a foam cup)1 small chunk of candle wax1 small piece of wood or cork (e.g., small stick or twig)1 glass of water calculatorPROCEDUREDensity is a measure of how much mass an object has compared to its volume. Density is calculatedby dividing the mass of an object by its volume.1. The Data Table gives you the mass and volume of several items. Use the formula (Density = Mass÷ Volume) to calculate density. The first problem has been done for you.2. Look over the list of the materials in the Data Table. Predict whether each material will float orsink and record it in the prediction column.3. Test your predictions by dropping each of your materials into a glass of water. Record whether ornot each material actually floats or sinks in the results column.Density = Mass ÷VolumeD = M ÷VDATA TABLE (5 points)(Approximate Values Given for Mass and Volume)Material Mass Volume Density Prediction:Float or Sink?Butter 2.24 g 2.8 cm 3 0.8 g/cm 3 Float FloatPaper Clip 0.5 g 0.2 cm 3Penny 1.32 g 0.6 cm 3Foam 0.2 g 1.0 cm 3Wax 1.08 g 1.2 cm 3Wood 1.2 g 2.0 cm 3Pebble 4.18 g 1.1 cm 3Result:Float or Sink?

4. Plot points for the density values of each material in the graph below.S-50The Density of Selected Materials (4 points)Density in butter paper clip penny foam wax wood pebbleg/cm 300.51.0 H 2 O2.03.04.05.06.0Water (H 2 O) has a density of 1.0 g/cm 3 as shown in the first column of the above graph. The densityof a material determines whether or not an object floats in water. Notice that all items with densityvalues greater than 1.0 g/cm 3 sink in water, and all items with density values less than 1.0 g/cm 3 floatin water.FAMILY DISCUSSIONDiscuss the following question with your family partner.Who is your family partner?______________________Show your density graph to your family partner. Explain to your partner the relationship between thedensity of a material and whether or not it floats in water. Also explain the significance of the dottedline in the above graph. In complete sentences, summarize what you explained to your family partner.(1 point)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________HOME-TO-SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONDear Parent or Guardian,Please give me your reactions to your child’s work on this activity. Write YES or NO for eachstatement.______1. My child understood the homework and was able to discuss it.______2. My child and I enjoyed the activity.______3. This assignment helped me know what my child is learning in science.Any other comments: ______________________________________________________________Signature:__________________________________________________________________________©2001. Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS) Interactive Homework. F. Van Voorhis, J. Epstein, J. Hornung, & C. McChesney. Center onSchool, Family, and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins University.