LabLearner—The Science of Learning
LabLearner—The Science of Learning

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Properties of Matter

Investigation 4 – Lab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Investigation 4

BE PREPARED

Supplies and Equipment:

Group Materials:

  • 1 pan balance
  • 1 woodblock
  • 1 brass fastener
  • 1 steel marble
  • 1 white bucket
  • 1 plastic shoebox
  • 1 1000 ml graduated cylinder
  • 1 liter pitcher
  • paper towels

Individual Materials:

  • 1 Student Data Record

Teacher Preparation:

1. Fill a liter pitcher with water for each group and place it at the group stations.

2. Divide the class into five cooperative groups

Instruction:

1. Direct each student group to obtain the following necessary materials from the distribution point: one (1) pan balance, one (1) wood block, one (1) brass fastener, one (1) steel marble, one (1) white bucket, one (1) plastic shoe box, and one (1) 1000 ml graduated cylinder.

GET FOCUSED

Investigation Four introduces students to the concept of density, mass versus size, and floating and sinking.

 

INVESTIGATE

 

Trial 1

1. During this part of the Investigation, students will order objects from lightest to heaviest. Students will design their own method for determining the order of the objects’ weight. The questions to be answered in this Trial are:

Which objects weigh the most? Which objects weigh the least?

a. Refer students to Problem 7 in their Student Data Record. Explain to students that they will design the experiment in this trial.

b. Ask students: How can you figure out the order of the weights of these objects?

Talk with your group and design a way to order the objects using the pan balance. Write down what steps you will use in your Scientist Data Record. If necessary review Pan Balance Use and Operation.

NOTE: If a group is having difficulty designing an experiment, give them a helpful hint such as, “For the first step, choose one object and compare it on the pan balance to the other three objects“, or “Make a list of the order you will compare the objects, etc.“

c. Allow groups 5-10 minutes to design their experiment.

d. Instruct students to begin their experiment.

e. As students compare the weights of the objects, direct them to fill in the continuum in Problem 7c in their Student Data Record.

Trial 2

2. In this part of the Investigation, students will predict and test which objects float and which objects sink. As students conduct their experiments they will be asked the following question:

Does weight affect floating and sinking?

Tell students: Based on the information we just gathered about the weights of the objects, make a prediction about which objects will float and which will sink.

Direct students to fill in the chart in Problem 8 of their Student Data Record.

a. Tell students that in order to test whether or not the objects float or sink, they should first pour water into the shoebox container. Allow each group to determine how much water to use. Remind students to measure the water using the graduated cylinder.

b. Instruct students to test the objects one at a time and record their data in their Student Data Record.

Note: Direct students when testing the white bucket they should place the bottom of the bucket on the surface of the water. It is important that the bucket does not fill with water, because the bucket should float.3.

KEYS

CLEAN UP

Let students know your expectations for clean-up. Ask them to clean up.