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The Shape of Floatation
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In this activity (on page 2 of the PDF under GPS: Sailboat Design Activity), learners will discover how the shape of an object, not just its weight, determines whether it floats or sinks.
Salt 'n Lighter
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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.
Defining Density
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In this introductory demonstration and activity, learners are introduced to the concept of density as they explore a rock and a wooden block in water.
Diet Light
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In this quick activity, learners observe how the added sugar in a can of soda affects its density and thus, its ability to float in water.
Cartesian Diver
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In this demonstration, learners observe the effects of density and pressure. A "diver" constructed out of a piece of straw and Blu-Tack will bob inside a bottle filled with water.
Floating Paper Clip
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In this activity, challenge learners to float a paper clip in a cup of water. Learners discover that a paper clip will sink in a cup of water, except when it is placed on a piece of paper towel.
Descartes' Diver
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In this activity, learners explore how changes in fluid pressure affect the buoyancy of a Cartesian diver inside a plastic soda bottle.
Physics in the Kitchen: Sink or Swim Soda
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In the kitchen, learners can perform their own density investigation.
Root Beer Float
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In this quick activity/demonstration about density, learners examine what happens when two cans of root beer--one diet and one regular--are placed in a large container of water.
Density Rainbow and the Great Viscosity Race
Learners conduct two activities to investigate two properties of liquids: density and viscosity. In a clear container, learners stack 7 different liquids which will layer according to their density.
Dancing Spaghetti
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In this chemistry activity, learners use spaghetti to explore density and chemical reactions.
Color Splash
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In this activity, learners mix water, cooking oil, and liquid food coloring to create beautiful colored designs in a cup. Use this activity to explore liquid density and solubility.
Watercraft
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In this design challenge activity, learners build a boat that can hold 25 pennies (or 15 one inch metal washers) for at least ten seconds before sinking.
Design a Submarine
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Learners act as engineers and design mini submarines that move in the water like real submarines.
Floating Head Cup
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In this activity, learners watch a figure "magically" float up through the air.
Inverted Bottles
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In this activity, learners investigate convection by using food coloring and water of different temperatures.
Cauldron Bubbles
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In this activity, learners mix up a bubbly brew and examine density. Learners explore how they can make different materials fall and rise in water using oil, water, and salt.
Floating Paperclip and Other Surface Tension Experiments
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In this activity, learners experiment with surface tension using everyday household items such as strawberry baskets, paperclips, liquid dish soap, and pepper.
Cartesian Diver
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In this quick activity (page 1 of the PDF under SciGirls Activity: California Fish), learners will build a simple Cartesian Diver in an empty 2-liter bottle.
Dissolving Different Liquids in Water
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In this activity, learners add different liquids to water and apply their working definition of “dissolving” to their observations.