Density & Magic Bubbles! (Jennifer Kim)

Author

Jennifer Kim

Principle(s) Illustrated

1. Density

2. Limnic Eruption & Lake Nyos Disaster

3. Cellular Respiration

Standards

• HS-PS1-2. Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.

• HS-LS2-5. Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

• HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity

Materials Needed

• aquarium

• bubble solution

• dry ice to put at the bottom of the aquarium to generate an invisible layer of carbon dioxide...try to remove the block of dry ice so as to not give away a clue of what may keep the bubbles suspended

Questioning Script

Prior knowledge & experience:

1.Density

Root question:

1.When I blow the bubbles into the aquarium, what do you think will happen?

2. What do you see happening?

3. What are you explanation for what you are seeing?

Target response:

1. Students will predict that the bubbles float to the bottom of the aquarium

2. Students will see the bubbles suspend above the bottom of the aquarium

3. Answers will vary, but the correct answer is that the carbon dioxide layer generated by the dry ice is denser than air and will sink to the bottom of the aquarium. The bubbles then will bounce up and down on this invisible denser carbon dioxide layer appearing as if the bubbles are dancing.

Common Misconceptions:

Density is only relevant to things floating or sinking in liquids

Photographs and Movies