What's So Special about Water: Solubility and Density

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In this activity about water solubility and density, learners use critical thinking skills to determine why water can dissolve some things and not others. In this two part activity, learners also make predictions and create hypotheses. This lesson guide includes instructions for two mini activities, key vocabulary words, extension ideas, helpful hints, and resources.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per student
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 11
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • Clear jar
  • Clear glasses
  • 1/4 cup colored water
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup corn syrup
  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Kool-Aid mix that needs sugar
  • Measuring cups

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Structure
      • Oceans and Water
  • Physical Sciences
    • Chemistry
      • Solutions
    • States of Matter
      • Liquids
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Atomic Structure
      • Volume and Density
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Food and Cooking

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • taste
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Bowers, Sally

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, 2008