Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Bowling Balls: Will They Sink or Will They Float?
Young scholars will investigate what determines whether a material will sink or float. They will be given a bowling ball and have to make measurements and conclusions on whether their bowling ball will float, hover, or sink when placed...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Density in Solutions: How Can You Make an Egg Float?
For this activity, students will learn about density by determining how to make an egg float in water. By the end of the lesson, students will understand that density and weight are different and that density matters in floatation. They...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Floating and Sinking Sorting in Science
Students sort objects according to whether they sink or float.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Sink or Float: All Liquids Do Not Have the Same Density
An experiment in density. After a review of floating and sinking of different materials, students test four bottles, all holding four ounces of water, to see if they will float or sink. They each contain a different density of sugar...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Sink or Float? Inquiry Investigation
For this activity, learners make predictions about whether different objects float or sink, then test them. They are asked to record their observations and results for each, and compare their results to others'.
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.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Water Activity
Students investigate water by estimating how long it takes to freeze, then see if the ice cube will float in water, and eventually work with other items to see if they sink or float in water.
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.
National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Nagt: Density Mystery Canisters
Learners experiment with items that sink or float, and learn that water's density is equal to one, and objects/solutions with a density greater than one will sink, and those with a density less than one will float.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Floating and Sinking: Density
This investigation introduces the concepts of volume, mass, and density and how they interact. Young scholars will make predictions of whether an object will float or sink after finding mass and volume of an object.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Sinking Water: Glaciers, Ocean Currents and Weather Patterns
A lesson plan 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...
PBS
Pbs: Sesame Street: Science
A collection of interactives, videos, and documents on a variety science concepts.
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 Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Density of Solid Objects
In this science inquiry, students investigate whether volume or density of objects determine the floating or sinking in water. Using a rock and a block of wood teachers engage students in the discussion of density, mass and volume.
Google
The Engineering Place: Balloon Flinking [Pdf]
A lesson and activity sheet on buoyancy. Students add weight to a helium-filled balloon to keep it suspended so that it won't float or sink, but instead will 'flink.'
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Chemistry Simulation: Going Fishing
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students will be able to change the mass and volume of an item and observe if it floats, sinks, or remains at a certain depth in the water. Students will also be able to change the liquid in level 2.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Solid and Liquid Density Investigation
For this activity, students investigate whether objects and liquids float or sink when placed in water. As they proceed, they will develop an understanding of what density is. Student handouts are provided.
Science is Fun
Science Is Fun: The Cartesian Diver
A simple experiment in buoyancy where you discover how to make a packet of sauce or candy float or sink at will, and why you are able to do this.
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology: Buoyancy Simulation
By choosing the mass, size, and time, students can experiment with whether the block floats or sinks in this simulation. Students have the option to display the forces and add a second block to the tank. Density is also shown to allow...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Float or Sink?
Students will define density and use the density formula to determine the density, volume, and mass of various items using the correct units for each measurement.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Balloons & Buoyancy
Experiment with a helium balloon, a hot air balloon, or a rigid sphere filled with different gases. Discover what makes some balloons float and others sink.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Balloons & Buoyancy
Students studying buoyancy will better understand its concepts with this virtual experiment using various balloons and testing what makes them float or sink.