Lesson Plan
Date submitted: 8-25-05
Submitted by: Jenna LoDico
Lesson Title: Density: Mystery Canisters
Subject: General Science
Intended Grade Level: 6th grade
Duration: one 50-minute period
Concepts: density, mass, volume
Goals: For this lesson, we want students to become familiar with the concept density through the experimentation of placing different substances and objects into empty prescription pill bottles and placing them into fresh water. Also, we want students to understand that water's density is equal to one, and objects/solutions with a density greater than one will sink, and those with a density less than one will float.
Sunshine State Standards: The Nature of Matter, Standard 1: The student understands that all matter has observable, measurable properties. (SC.A.1.3)
1. Identifies various ways in which substances differ (e.g., mass, volume, shape, density, texture, and reaction to temperature and light).
Objectives: The students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate that density is a property of solids and liquids.
2. Explain why objects float or sink, based on what they've learned about density.
Vocabulary: density, mass, volume
Real World Relevance: Density is an important concept that students need to understand. It is relevant in many ways including natural processes such as lakes freezing and activities such as riding on a boat.
Materials: (per group)
Plastic tub of water (or the bottom half of a 2-liter soda bottle)
Three film canisters/ I used donated prescription pill bottles
Assortment of small objects (pennies, paperclips, marbles, etc.) for mass
Assortment of large objects (pencil, rock, piece of plastic, a small candle, an egg, piece of coral, regular Coke and Diet Coke)
Equipment to measure mass:
Triple-beam balance
Volume (graduated cylinders and overflow cans.)
Mystery Canister worksheet
Procedures:
Assessing prior knowledge:
Describe what each of these items will do when placed in freshwater and explain why. Items: pencil, rock, piece of plastic, a small candle, an egg, piece of coral, regular Coke and Diet Coke.
Engagement:
Ask students to share their predictions. Demonstrate what happens to the listed items in small aquarium filled with freshwater. Ask if they think the results would change if the items were placed in saltwater.
Exploration:
Students are allowed a few minutes to create the three canisters that will (1) float, (2) sink, and (3) remain suspended. Students may have difficulty getting one of the canisters perfectly suspended. If the students can get the canister to suspend with less than half of the lid above the surface, they should get numbers that result in a density close to 1.0 g/ml.
Explanation:
Once the students have their canisters approved, they find the mass and volume of the canisters and calculate each density and fill out the provided mystery canister worksheet. They should notice that the floating vial has a density less than 1 g/ml, the sinking vial has a density greater than 1 g/ml, and the suspended vial has a density close to 1 g/ml. They then can make predictions about other canisters with given weights as whether they will float, sink, or be suspended in the tub of water.
Extensions:
Display a jar with water (can be colored with food coloring) and oil in it. Shake it. Ask the students what they think is occurring. Make the point that not only do objects have specific densities but so do liquids. If water has the density of 1 g/ml, then oil must be less dense. Does anyone think saltwater and freshwater have different densities (already touched upon during assessing prior knowledge)?
Can perform the experiment in saltwater tubs to see if students get different densities.
Evaluation/Assessment:
The students will demonstrate science understandings by:
1)Explaining out loud that substances with a density lower than one will float, and a substance with a density greater than one will sink
2)Complete the metric review worksheet correctly.
This will be completed the following day during Bell work Activity where students will be asked to write a summary of what they learned from the activity and complete metric review sheet.
Resources:
The Science Spot:
More on Density, An Educators Desk Reference: