Esmeralda Tabares

Lesson Density:

Concept Exploration:

What is density?

What is mass?

What is volume?

Define matter

Standards: Density

8. All objects experience a buoyant force when immersed in a fluid. As a basis for understanding this concept:

a. Students know density is mass per unit volume.

b. Students know how to calculate the density of substances (regular and irregular solids and liquids) from measurements of mass and volume.

c. Students know how to predict whether an object will float or sink.

Objectives:

Students will demonstrate their understanding in the following areas by:

1) Explaining why different liquids settle in different layers;

2) Explaining why different liquids do not mix together; and,

3) Predict where an object will float or sink depending on their density in relation to

the liquids where they are put into.

Materials:

_ food coloring

_ Small paper cups

_ Alcohol

_ Soap

_ Oil

_ Honey

_ Water

_ milk

_ 3 clear drinking glasses

_ 1 piece of cork

_ Spoon

_ 1 candle (little round candle)

_ Metal (ex paper clip)

Procedure:

_ Each group will receive a little plastic box that will included all the materials listed above. Each group will also receive a worksheet that they will complete while completing the experiment.

_ Students will be instructed to get the 2 clear plastic glasses and water. The first step will be to get one plastic cup and pour water in it. Students will get the cork, paper clip and the candle to find out which of them is denser then the water. Students will predict and discuss about it.

_Secondly, student will be ask to get the second plastic glass and pour milk in it. Students will repeat the process as with the water but in this case with the milk. Students will record both results in the worksheet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-SisMPfGXY&feature=fvwrel

_Once students are done with the water and milk, they will be ask to get the third plastic glass, alcohol, soap, oil, honey and water. Students will place the honey, soap, water, oil, and alcohol in the glass using the same order as listed above and as well as the same amount of each liquid. Student will be asked to record all the changes.

_After the experiment is done, the instructor will be directing a whole class discussion in regards to the subject presented in the experiment. Students will have the opportunity to share their understanding on the topic as well as to clear up any questions they may have.

_ Finally, the instructor will finish the experiment by asking student questions in order to identify the full understanding of students in regards to the subject.

Explanation:

_ This experiment will be useful for students’ understanding of density since it gives them the opportunity to visualize it. They will visualize how different liquids interact differently depending on how dense they are. This will be proven by showing students how object that are less dense tent to float and objects that are denser sink.

_ Finally, students will also have the opportunity to relate the experiment to things or activities in their daily life. For example a boat or when people are swimming. This will allow the instructor to evaluate the knowledge of the students.

Reference: