Search Results
Showing results 1 to 16 of 16
Salt 'n Lighter
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners discover that as the salinity of water increases, the density increases as well. Learners prove this by attempting to float fresh eggs in saltwater and freshwater.
Investigating Density Currents
Source Institutions
In this lab activity, learners explore how to initiate a density current. Learners measure six flasks with different concentrations of salt and water (colored blue).
Klutz-Proof Density Column
Source Institutions
Making liquids of different densities to perfectly lay on top of each other can be a frustrating exercise. The Exploratorium created this activity as a fool proof way of making a density column.
Melting Ice
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore density, convection, stratification, and, by inference, the melting of icebergs. Learners make hypotheses, test their hypotheses, and explain their observations.
Sinking Water
Source Institutions
In this experiment, learners float colored ice cubes in hot and cold water.
Turning the Air Upside Down: Convection Current Model
Learners see convection currents in action in this highly visual demonstration. Sealed bags of colored hot or cold water are immersed in tanks of water.
Convection Demonstration
Source Institutions
In this quick activity (located on page 2 of the PDF under GPS: Balloon Fiesta Activity), learners will see the effects of convection and understand what makes hot air balloons rise.
Eyedropper Hydrometer: Buoy your understanding of density
Source Institutions
Build a hydrometer (measures the density of a liquid) using a pipet or eyedropper.
That Sinking Feeling
Source Institutions
In this quick activity, learners observe how salinity and temperature affect the density of water, to better understand the Great Ocean Conveyor.
Inverted Bottles
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners investigate convection by using food coloring and water of different temperatures.
Liquid Layers
Source Institutions
Experiment with liquids of different densities and create liquid layers. For example, oil and water have different densities: oil floats on water because it is less dense than water.
Heavy Air
Source Institutions
In this activity and/or demonstration, learners illustrate visually and physically that air has weight. Learners balance two equally-inflated balloons hanging from string on a yard stick.
Make a Salt Volcano (Lava Lite)
Source Institutions
This activity about density provides instructions for making a miniature "lava lite" with just salt, oil, water, and food coloring.
Turning the Air Upside Down: Warm Air is Less Dense than Cool Air
Learners cover a bottle with a balloon. When they immerse the bottle in warm water, the balloon inflates. When they immerse the bottle in a bowl of ice, the balloon deflates.
Weather Stations: Winds
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners use a toaster to generate wind and compare the appliance's heat source to Jupiter's own hot interior. Learners discover that convection drives wind on Jupiter and on Earth.
Build A Hydrometer
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will explore how a hydrometer works by building a working model and conducting experiments.