University of Southern Indiana
Manifest Density
There's a lot content packed into the four lessons of this physical science unit on density. From salad dressing to the water cycle and hot air balloons, these lessons engage students in hands-on activities that explore real-world...
Museum of Science
Hot Air Balloon
It is more than just blowing hot air. Pupils first build a hot air balloon out of tissue paper by cutting enough panels of tissue paper to form a balloon shape and glue the panels together. Using a hot air gun, individuals then inflate...
Curated OER
Air Density and Temperature
Young scholars investigate the effect of temperature on the density of air by putting an uncovered bottle in a bucket of hot water. Then they place a balloon over the mouth of the bottle. They repeat the procedure using ice water and...
Curated OER
Temperature and the Density of Air
Here is a hands-on activity in which junior scientists put air into a balloon to create a closed system. They measure its circumference, warm it in hot water, and then remeasure its circumference to discover how temperature affects the...
CK-12 Foundation
Hot Air Balloon
How can people control a hot air balloon? The simple simulation allows scholars to adjust the payload mass, burner, and vent position on a hot air balloon and observe the changes in velocity and altitude over time. Challenge questions...
Curated OER
WS 1.7 Density /Archimedes Principle
Archimedes' principle is practiced as chemistry learners practice computing the density of different gases, liquids, and solids. Using a chart of standard densities, they also identify unknown materials by similar calculations. Fifteen...
NorthEast Ohio Geoscience Education Outreach
Density and Pressure of a Hot Air Balloon
Using a dry cleaner bag and a blow dryer, create a hot air balloon! The materials list suggests obtaining one dry cleaner bag per student, but since this is probably inconvenient, consider doing this as a demonstration during a lesson on...
Curated OER
The Weather Classroom - Atmosphere
Meteorology learners explore the weight of air, layers of the atmosphere, and air pressure action through a series of discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on group activities. Enough discussion prompts, background information, student...
American Chemical Society
Air, It's Really There
Love is in the air? Wrong — nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide are in the air. The final lesson in the series of five covers the impact of temperature on gases. Scholars view a demonstration of gas as a type of matter before performing...
Curated OER
Air Engine - Air Races
Students conduct an experiment about air volume, density, and pressure. For this air lesson, students discuss air, and how it moves. They make predictions about what will happen during the balloon and string experiment. They document the...
Curated OER
Float a Hot Air Balloon
This activity will lift spirits in your class, but there is little scientific explanation for what makes a hot air balloon rise. As you are teaching middle school scientists about density and convection, you can incorporate this...
Curated OER
Gases Lighter and Heavier than Air
Young scholars explore the concept of air density. In this air density lesson, students fill balloons with helium and carbon dioxide. Young scholars determine which gases are heavier or lighter than air.
Curated OER
Hot Air Balloons
Middle schoolers examine how a hot air balloon works. In this hot air balloon lesson, students do an experiment to test the effects of heat on density. Middle schoolers make their own hot air balloon and act out how nitrogen moves when...
Curated OER
The Mathematics of Convection: Nature's Model for Energy Production
High schoolers conduct a series of experiments to investigate density, buoyancy and climate. In this math lesson, pupils design and build a hot air balloon to demonstrate convection. They research and write a paper about solar chimneys.
Curated OER
Student Reading - The Unique Properties of Water
Without water there would be no life on this planet. Biology learners find out why by reading this handout. Create a worksheet of questions to answer after the reading. Follow it up with quick demonstrations or laboratory activities that...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Float or Sink?
Experiment with mass and density as scholars figure out what makes things float or sink. First, they watch a podcast introducing these concepts. Be sure to use the comprehension question to test their understanding. Young scientists...
Curated OER
Come On Down!
Begin with an introduction to famous deep-sea submersibles. Learners work in groups to gather information on different vessels and then share with the class. Each group then uses water displacement to help calculate the density of...
Curated OER
Balloons
Learners explore the different types of balloons. In this materials lesson students can complete several experiments including building their own hot air balloons, making balloon animals and experimenting with static electricity.
Colorado State University
Can Gravity Push Something Up?
How does a hot air balloon fly? An experimental lesson has scholars build a balloon from a garbage bag and monitor the movement of air. As the temperature of the air in the balloon increases, gravity moves the denser cool air down,...
Curated OER
Hot air Balloons
Learners study how hot air balloons were created and the different types there are. In this density and lift lesson students build their own hot air balloon.
Curated OER
Density - To Float or Not to Float? That is the Question!
Students investigate how to find the density of fluids and solids using math. Students also learn how to find the density of regular and irregular shaped objects.
Curated OER
Air: Demonstrating Its Presence and Effects
Students explore the concept of air. In this gravity instructional activity, students perform various experiments that deal with gravity, air resistance, and air pressure.
Curated OER
Sweet Twinkies, Density and Sugar Chomping Yeast: A Look at Physical and Chemical Reactions in the Kitchen
Students investigate matter. In this physical science lesson plan, students will learn about matter, physical states, and reactions. There are a series of four lab activities that will be conducted.
Curated OER
Sunlight and Warm Air
Students discuss radiant energy from the sun, performing a simple experiment with sun glasses and bright light to demonstrate the concept. Students further participate in simple in-class experiments to demonstrate: air density as it...