Graphic
American Chemical Society

Middle School Chemistry: Density Sink and Float for Solids

For Students 9th - 10th
See how different solids can have different densities depending on their molecular make-up.
Lesson Plan
HotChalk

Hot Chalk: Lesson Plans Page: Sink or Float?

For Teachers K - 1st
This lesson plan is designed to have young children explore the concept of sinking vs. floating by using the skills of prediction, observation and classification.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Teaching Measurement: Literature and Manipulatives

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
The tradebook, Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen, is an excellent tool in teaching measurement. Students will engage in activities involving different types of measurement. In the story, five animal friends decide to take a boat ride....
Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Floating and Sinking: Hot Air Balloons

For Students 9th - 10th
Why do hot air balloons float? This resource from the NOVA Web site offers a series of interactive activities that illustrates the physics of hot air balloons.
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Physics: Archimedes' Principle

For Students 11th - 12th
From a chapter on Fluid Statics in a Physics textbook. This section of the chapter provides a detailed discussion of Archimedes' principle, buoyant force, floating and sinking, and the role of density. Includes questions, problems and...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Scientific American: Beneath the Sea: Blowing Ballast

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Explore the use of ballast to manipulate buoyancy in submarines by building a model of a submersible using two-liter bottles and balloons. Describe the balance of forces that is responsible for the surfacing and diving of submersibles.
Activity
American Chemical Society

Inquiry in Action: Defining Density

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Do heavy things always sink and light things always float? In this introductory demonstration and activity, students are introduced to the concept of density as they explore a rock and a wooden block in water.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers:mysteries of the Deep: Leaky Seal

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Investigate the mystery of the sinking of the Confederate submarine Hunley. Explore the mechanics of waterproofing a seal, and compare and contrast the effectiveness of a metal-to-metal seal versus one that uses a rubber gasket.
Activity
American Chemical Society

Inquiry in Action: Changing the Density of an Object: Adding Material

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity, students see that a can of regular cola sinks while a can of diet cola floats. As a demonstration, bubble wrap is taped to the can of regular cola to make it float. This high-volume but light-weight material increases...
Activity
American Chemical Society

Inquiry in Action: Compare the Density of an Object to the Density of Water

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity, students use tea light candle holders and a student-made balance to compare the weight of equal volumes of wax, water, and clay. Students will discover that since the wax weighs less than an equal volume of water, it is...
Unit Plan
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies

Mocomi: Buoyancy

For Students 1st - 7th
Ever wonder why/how things float? This concept is called buoyancy. Take this interactive journey to learn and understand how and why certain materials float and others sink to the ocean floor.

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