Activity
American Chemical Society

Inquiry in Action: Changing the Density of a Liquid: Heating and Cooling

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity, students will investigate whether the temperature of water affects its density. Students will place colored hot and cold water in a cup of room-temperature water to see that cold water sinks while hot water floats. Then...
Lesson Plan
American Chemical Society

Middle School Chemistry: Temperature and Density

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Observe how heating and cooling affect the density of water. Combine the concepts of temperature, molecular motion, and density to learn that hot water is less dense than room temperature water and that cold water is more dense.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Density Differences

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students investigate differences in ocean water density, and record density data from salt, ice, and hot water samples in their notebooks. Students then simulate ocean water temperature levels in a simulation.
Graphic
American Chemical Society

Middle School Chemistry: Temperature and Density

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn how the molecular movement in different temperature water affects the density of the liquid.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Sinking Water: Glaciers, Ocean Currents and Weather Patterns

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A activity where students learn how warm water is less dense than cold water, and what this means for global climate change as ice from the polar regions melts. Students will do experiments in buoyancy and water density when hot or cold,...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Sinking and Floating Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
An experiment in density where colored water, both hot and cold, are poured into containers of water at room temperature. Students will observe that the warm water rises and the cold water sinks due to their different densities.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Hot and Cold Water Experiment

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Demonstrate the relationship between water temperature and density using two clear plastic soda bottles.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Ocean Currents: Modeling 'Global Conveyor Belt' in Your Kitchen

For Students 9th - 10th
Ocean currents have a profound effect on the climates of the continents, especially those regions bordering on the ocean. The Gulf Stream makes northwest Europe much more temperate than any other region at the same latitude, and the...