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Sink or Float

Sink or Float

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to measure, compare, and contrast physical properties of matter, including size, mass, volume, states (solid, liquid, gas) temperature, magnetism, and the ability to sink or float.

Essential Understanding

The student knows that matter has physical properties and those properties determine how matter is classified, changed and used.

Science Background

Archimedes: Oracle ThinkQuest (website) - Information about Archimedes, the Greek mathematician who created the natural law of buoyancy, and a description of the law itself.

Archimedes
Oracle ThinkQuest, www.library.thinkquest.org

Archimedes Principle: UKDivers (website) - Compares the density of various materials and determines whether they sink or float.

Archimedes Principle
UKDivers, www.ukdivers.net

Neutral Buoyancy: NASA (PDF and Video) - Learn how NASA uses buoyancy for spacewalking training.

Neutral Buoyancy
NASA, www.nasa.gov

Why Do Astronauts Practice Underwater?
NASA, www.nasa.gov

Signature Lesson

Float, Sink, Flink! Learn NC (website) - Buoyancy activities that challenge students to create things that neither sink nor float.

Float, Sink, Flink!
By Erin Denniston, Learn NC, www.learnnc.org

Supporting Lessons

Buoyancy and Archimedes’ Principle: Starting Point (website) - Instructions for conducting several buoyancy demonstrations.

Buoyancy and Archimedes’ Principle
Starting Point, www.serc.carleton.edu/introgeo

Sink or Float Teacher Activities: Brain Pop Jr. (website) - Information on buoyancy, along with several simple activities.

Sink or Float Teacher Activities
Brain Pop, www.brainpop.com

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

The Magic Ketchup Experiment! Science Bob (website) - Instructions for changing the buoyancy of a ketchup packet to make it float or sink.

The Magic Ketchup Experiment!
Science Bob, www.sciencebob.com

Assessment Ideas

Have students create a new toy that “flinks” in water (see Signature Lesson). In other words, a toy that neither sinks nor floats in water. They may actually make the toy, or draw and write about it.

Literature Connections

Will it Float or Sink? Stewart, Melissa (978-0516237374)

Floating and Sinking. Niz, Ellen (978-0736869386)

Who Sank the Boat? Allen, Pamela (978-0698113732)

Related Science TEKS

(4.4A) Tools for Collecting and Analyzing Information
The student is expected to collect, record, and analyze information using tools, including calculators, microscopes, cameras, computers, hand lenses, metric rulers, Celsius thermometers, mirrors, spring scales, pan balances, triple beam balances, graduated cylinders, beakers, hot plates, meter sticks, compasses, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices, including clocks and stopwatches; and materials to support observation of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

Related Math TEKS

4.11A  The student is expected to estimate and use measurement tools to determine length (including perimeter), area, capacity and weight/mass using standard units SI (metric) and customary measurement system.

4.11B   The student is expected to perform simple conversions between different units of length, between different units of capacity, and between different units of weight within the customary measurement system.

4.11C   The student is expected to use concrete models of standard cubic units to measure volume.

4.11D  The student is expected to estimate volume in cubic units.     

4.14D  The student is expected to use tools such as real objects, manipulatives, and technology to solve problems.

4.16B   The student is expected to justify why an answer is reasonable and explain the solution process.

Additional Resources

Float and Sink: BBC (website) - Interactive online game in which young students explore basic concepts of sinking and floating.

Float and Sink
BBC, www.bbc.co.uk

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