Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Klutz Proof Density Column
An activity to help you create a density column that contains layers of liquids that are separated by different densities.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Lab: That Sinking Feeling
Simple experiments dealing with water temperature and density that you can complete in the lab and at home.
Science is Fun
Science Is Fun: Bowling Balls Float or Sink?
In this experiment, you test whether two different bowling balls will float or sink, then determine the density of each of the balls to see if they are less than that of water.
Science is Fun
Science Fun: Layered Liquids
This experiment allows you to dramatically demonstrate the different densities of five different common household liquids.
Science is Fun
Fun Science: Sinking and Floating Soda Cans
Why do some pop cans float in water while others don't? This easy experiment is a great example of the principle of density.
Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Activities: Habitat Overcrowding
An experiment where several containers are set up with different numbers of seeds planted in each. The objective is to investigate how seed density affects the health of the plants that grow.
Other
Steve Spangler Science: Denver's Brown Cloud
Learn how fluids move through our atmosphere and water. This experiment explains atmospheric convection currents (thunderstorms), the Gulf Stream, and temperature inversion. A video is included.
Other
The Science House: Daffy Densities
In this lab experiment, students will use 4 solids and 6 liquids to create colorful, layered rows demonstrating that less dense materials will float on top of the more dense materials.
Science Fun for Everyone
Science Fun: Water Fireworks
In this science experiment, you will learn about density while making water fireworks!
Science Fun for Everyone
Science Fun: Rainbow in a Glass
Use skittles to form a rainbow with this hands-on experiment. Links to video of the experiment.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Lab: The Air Is There
An experiment to see how the temperature of an object affects how high it bounces. This site contains web links and notes for the teacher.
Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Design a Submarine
Become an engineer, and design a submarine that moves in the water like a real submarine. Try making it sink, float, and hover in the water.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Comparing Densities of Different Liquids
This lab experiment has students observe and compare the density of five different liquids while measuring mass and volume.
Other
Lapeer County Schools Science Resources: Density Lab
A simple lab experiment for students to find the density of two solids and a liquid (does not use water displacement). Note that number 1d should not state "weighs" since mass is being found.
Hunkins Experiments
Hunkin's Experiments: See if a Ring Is Pure Gold
Hunkin's Experiments is a group of simple cartoon illustrations of scientific principles. Some would work well in the classroom, but others have little value beyond entertaining students. All of the projects are easy to do. This one...
Science is Fun
Science Is Fun: Dancing Raisins
An experiment in buoyancy which involves making raisins float by using carbonated soda pop. Students then try the same test with other materials. Instructions for making one's own carbonated liquid are also provided.
Science is Fun
Science Is Fun: Sinking and Floating Soda Cans
An experiment to determine if either a regular or a diet can of soda will float or sink when placed in water, and what causes this.
Other
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences: Salinity and Deep Ocean Currents
For this activity, students will investigate how temperature and currents affect the salinity of ocean water, making predictions after studying ocean maps. It is recommended that teachers do the experiment themselves before presenting it...
Science is Fun
Science Is Fun: Layered Liquids
An investigation into what properties liquids have that enable them to sit in separate layers in a container.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Condiment Diver
Use a condiment packet as a Cartesian diver to show how pressure changes cause the "diver" to float, sink or hover.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: The Great Egg Drop: Relationship Between Gravity, Mass and Density
An interesting experiment in the relationship between gravity, density, and mass. Students must devise a way to drop a milk carton containing two raw eggs off a roof 50 feet high, without breaking the eggs. They then write a scientific...
Center of Science and Industry
Cosi Columbus: Buoyant Bubble [Pdf]
Learn about density in this hands-on science experiment. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of what makes an object float or sink. [PDF]
Other
Science Alive: Repeating Experiments
For this lab activity, students are required to write a procedure to be followed in a simple lab process and record the results they get from following that procedure. They then exchange procedures with another lab group, which will have...
SEDL
Oceans [Pdf]
This large PDF file integrates math, science, and language into several lessons about characteristics of the oceans. Topics include ocean currents, tides, density, marine life, and pollution.