Classroom Resource

Water Density

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

5

Overview

Students experiment with density by changing the density of water, in this activity from Zoom. Students will discover that the more salt there is in the water, the denser the water is. Density is one thing that makes things float.

Content Standards

Science (2015) Grade(s): 5

SC15.5.3
Examine matter through observations and measurements to identify materials (e.g., powders, metals, minerals, liquids) based on their properties (e.g., color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, solubility, density).

Unpacked Content

Vocabulary

color
hardness
reflectivity
electrical conductivity
thermal conductivity
response to magnetic forces
solubility
density
measurement (quantitative and qualitative)
data
observable properties
standard units
conductors
nonconductors
magnetic
nonmagnetic

Knowledge

Students know:

Materials have different properties-color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity thermal conductivity, solubility, and density.
Measurements of a variety of properties can be used to identify materials.
Measurements should be made in standard units (e.g., grams & liters).

Skills

Students are able to:

Identify the phenomenon through observations about materials, including color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, and solubility.
Identify the evidence and collect data about the observed objects in standard units (e.g., grams, liters).
Collaboratively plan the investigation.
Identify materials based on their properties.

Understanding

Students understand that:

Standard units are used to measure and describe physical quantities of materials such as weight, time, temperature, and volume. These measurements will assist in the identification of the materials ( e.g. powders, metals, minerals, and liquids).

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Crosscutting Concepts

Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

Science (2015) Grade(s): 5

SC15.5.5
Construct explanations from observations to determine how the density of an object affects whether the object sinks or floats when placed in a liquid.

Unpacked Content

Vocabulary

density
volume
buoyancy
data
observe
explain
sink
float
mass

Knowledge

Students know:

Objects are made of many tiny particles to small to be seen.
Some objects have many tiny particles compacted close together that causes the object to sink while other objects the same size may float because their tiny particles are less compact.
Some objects of the same size sink when others float.
Buoyancy is the ability of an object to float.

Skills

Students are able to:

Predict the results of different types of objects being placed in water. Test the objects and communicate the results.
Use appropriate tools (Scale, balance, ruler, or graduated cylinder) to measure the weight, mass, and/volume of an object.
Construct an explanation to describe the observed relationship between density and the ability of an object to sink or float.
Identify the evidence that supports the explanation that density affects the ability of an object to sink or float.

Understanding

Students understand that:

Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified and used to explain phenomenon like sinking and floating.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect

Interdisciplinary Connection(s)

Link to Resource

https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/arct14.sci.zdensity/water-density/

Content Type / Source

CR Resource Type

Learning Activity

Resource Provider

PBS

Accessibility

License

License Type

CUSTOM

Custom License Type (URL)

https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/help/terms-of-use/

Comments or Notes

PBSLearningMedia is free for teachers. Teachers need to create a free account to access all available resources.

Approved Date

2021-04-22

Curated by

Design by Adaptive Theme