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Properties of Matter

Investigation 5 – Lab

Back to Investigation 5

BE PREPARED

Supplies and Equipment:

Group Materials:

1 4 cm ball of clay
1 15 ml centrifuge (Falcon) tube
1 weigh dish
1 200 g weight
1 small (4 g) bear
1 liter pitcher
1 white bucket
15 metal nuts
paper towels

Individual Materials:

1 Student Data Record

Teacher Preparation:

1. Divide clay into approximate 4 cm diameter balls.

2. Screw the lids tightly on the centrifuge tubes.

3. Fill a liter pitcher with water for each group.

4. Divide the class into five cooperative groups.

Instruction:

Direct each student group to obtain the following necessary materials from the distribution point: one (1) plastic bucket, one (1) gram cube, one (1) paper clip, one (1) large (12 g) bear, one (1) acrylic cylinder, one (1) 10 g weight, one (1) ping pong ball, one (1) moon ball, one (1) wood block, one (1) metal cube, one (1) kidney bean, one (1) plastic marble.

GET FOCUSED

Investigation Five introduces students to the concept of buoyancy.

INVESTIGATE

Trial 1

1. Students will begin the Investigation by experimenting with clay. They will design an experiment to test the buoyancy of different shapes of the clay. The question students will answer is:

Can you change the buoyancy of clay?

a. Direct students to mold the clay into a ball.

b. Instruct students to place the clay ball in the water.

c. Ask students: Does the clay float or sink? Students should record that the clay sinks in Problem 3b of the Student Data Records.

d. Tell students they are going to try and figure out a way to make the clay float.

Direct students to talk with their group and come up with 3 different shapes they can form the clay into. Students should record which shapes they will use in their Student Data Record.

e. Allow 5-10 minutes for the students to design their shapes.

f. Instruct students to test their shapes, one at a time to see if they will float or sink.

Explain the steps of the Procedural Tool, Completion of a Data Table, with students. Direct students to record their data in the Table in Problem 3c their Student Data Record.

Trial 2

2. In this Trial, students will experiment with a 15 ml centrifuge tube. They will design an experiment to test the buoyancy of the 15 ml centrifuge tube. The question students will answer is.

Can you change the buoyancy of a centrifuge tube?

a. Instruct students to place the centrifuge tube in the water.

b. Ask students: Does the centrifuge tube float or sink? Students should record that the centrifuge tube floats in Problem 4 of their Student Data Records.

c. Tell students they are going to try and figure out a way to make the falcon tube sink. Direct students to talk with their group and come up with a way to make the tube sink. Students should record their ideas in their Student Data Record.

d. Allow 5-10 minutes for the students to discuss their ideas.

e. Instruct students to test their ideas to see if the tube will float or sink. Explain the steps of the Procedural Tool, Completion of a Data Table, with students. Direct students to record their data in the Table in Problem 4 of their Student Data Record.

Trial 3

3. Students will continue the Investigation by experimenting with a weighing dish. They will design an experiment to test the buoyancy of the weighing dish. The question students will answer is:

Can you change the buoyancy of a weighing dish?

a. Instruct students to place the weighing dish in the water.

b. Ask students: Does the weighing dish float or sink? Students should record that the weighing dish floats in Problem 5 of their Student Data Records.

c. Tell students: Carefully place the gram bear in the center of the weighing dish. What happens? Direct students to record their data in Problem 5c of their Student Data Record.

d. Direct students to carefully remove the gram bear.

e. Tell students: Carefully place the 200 g weight in the center of the weighing dish.

Ask students: What happens? Direct students to record their data in the Table Problem 5c of their Student Data Record. If necessary, review the Procedural Tool, Completion of a Data Table.