Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Flow Rate From Beverage Dispenser Problem
Students determine the flow rate and speed of the water leaving a faucet based on the properties of the beverage dispenser that it is coming from.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Build a Motorboat Powered by Surface Tension
If you look carefully, you could find dozens of similar interesting phenomena that are all linked to the surface tension of water. Here is a project that will help you understand and measure the properties of water surface tension.
University of Maryland
Lowering the Freezing Point of Water Using Salt
A page from the University of Maryland Physics Lecture Demonstration Facility. Provides directions for a teacher demonstration of the effect of an ionic solute upon the freezing point of water. Shows apparatus and set-up; provides...
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Freezing and Melting of Water
Freezing temperature, the temperature at which a substance turns from liquid to solid, and melting temperature, the temperature at which a substance turns from a solid to a liquid, are characteristic physical properties. In this...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How Cold Can You Go?
Students explore materials engineering by modifying the material properties of water. Specifically, they use salt to lower the freezing point of water and test it by making ice cream. Using either a simple thermometer or a mechatronic...
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Lesson Plans: Surface Tension
Students observe and investigate why water has a strong surface tension.
BiologyWise
Biology Wise: Facts About Daphnia (Water Fleas)
Describes the physical characteristics of Daphnia, their importance as a food source for freshwater fish, their diet, life cycle, and methods of reproduction. Offers tips for how to start and maintain a colony of Daphnia that can be used...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Who's Down the Well?
Drinking water comes from many different sources, including surface water and groundwater. Environmental engineers analyze the physical properties of groundwater to predict how and where surface contaminants will travel. In this lesson,...
NOAA
Noaa: More Than Salt in Salt Water [Pdf]
Realize that there is more in ocean water than just salt. Find out about the salinity of water and how changes in salinity may affect organisms living in the water.
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Thorium
Information about the element, Thorium, atomic number 90. Covers physical properties, atomic properties, how abundant it is on the Earth, where it is found, and details about health-related regulations. Discusses thorium's potential use...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: States of Matter
Students act as chemical engineers and use LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robotics to record temperatures and learn about the three states of matter. Properties of matter can be measured in various ways, including volume, mass, density and...
Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington: Is It a Rock or Mineral? [Pdf]
In this lesson, students will compare types of candy to learn about geological classification. Students will classify and sort different materials by their composition and physical properties.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: Grow Rock Candy
Students can carry out an investigation using sugar and water to determine whether heating or cooling a substance may cause changes that can be observed. This activity reinforces the ideas that the properties of materials can change when...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Anatomy & Physiology: Body Fluids and Fluid Compartments
Learn about the chemical and physical characteristics of the fluids that make up the human body.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Blossoms: Will an Ice Cube Melt Faster in Freshwater or Saltwater?
Engage students in the study of the ocean and saltwater with these activities. Students will see that saltwater has different physical properties than freshwater - mainly density. This lesson can serve as a springboard into other...
Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington: Fossil Identification Chart [Pdf]
A flowchart students can use as a tool to identify fossils based on their physical characteristics, e.g., segmentation, symmetry, lack of a skeleton, etc.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Getting Critical Over Colloids
What is a colloid? If you have made Oobleck out of corn starch and water, then you know that a colloid is a mixture that acts like a solid and a liquid at the same time. This activity helps you determine the critical factors that...
Museum of Science
The Atom's Family: Phases of Matter
Help the Phantom choose a material and observe the changes at different temperatures in the molecule chamber. What happens to the elements or molecules as the temperature changes?
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: A River Runs Through It
This two-month project requires a nearby stream or river to use for testing. Students use river monitoring equipment to conduct water tests, fish observation, insect identification and to collect data related to physical properties of...
Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington: Reference Documents: Calcite [Pdf]
A fact card describing the characteristics of calcite and its presence in limestone, its chemical and physical properties, and the composition and structure of a calcite unit cell.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: What's the Matter: A Sinker or Floater?
Students will explore matter that sinks or floats when submerged in water and that matter is categorized as either a sinker or a floater. Students will work actively in small, cooperative learning groups as well as gather in a whole...
Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington: Geo Notes: Composition of Coal [Pdf]
Discusses the chemical and physical composition of coal and why understanding the chemical properties of coal is important for knowing how to process and use it.
American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society: Best of Wonder Science: Ice of a Different Color [Pdf]
An experiment to test what happens to water when salt or sugar is added and it is then frozen into ice cubes. Students also explore the ice's physical properties by rubbing cubes on sandpaper and dropping a heavy object on each type.
BBC
Bbc: Gcse Bitesize: Predicting Chemical Reactions
This lesson focuses on predicting chemical reactions using The Group 1 elements in the Periodic Table are known as the alkali metals. They include lithium, sodium and potassium, which all react vigorously with air and water. It provides...