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Root Beer Float

Source Institutions

    Colorado State University
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Root Beer Float

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. Do they sink or float? Use this activity to introduce learners to the importance of density as well as the nutritional content of soft drinks.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
Under 5 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 4 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Demonstration
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • One can of root beer
  • One can of diet root beer
  • A large container of water. A deep sink or bathtub full of water will work fine.

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Human Body
      • Health and Nutrition
  • Mathematics
    • Measurement
  • Physical Sciences
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Volume and Density
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Formulating Explanations

Informal Categories

  • Food and Cooking

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

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Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All Rights Reserved, Little Shop of Physics, ©2009

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