Density and bouyancy

Density & Buoyancy

Name:__________________________ Date:____________ Period:______

Density = Mass/Volume = g/cm³

1. Work in groups of 3-4 students. Each student should complete a copy of this worksheet.

2. Examine each of the 8 numbered samples. Complete the table below. First predict whether it will float. Once you have guessed on all 10 samples, drop each into a 1000 mL beaker of water to see if it floats. Finally, try to determine what the material in the sample is. Number 1 is done for you.

Sample Number	Will it Float?	Does it Float?	What is the sample?
1	Yes/No	Yes/No	Aluminum
2	Yes/No	Yes/No
3	Yes/No	Yes/No
4	Yes/No	Yes/No
5	Yes/No	Yes/No
6	Yes/No	Yes/No
7	Yes/No	Yes/No
8	Yes/No	Yes/No

3. Write some rules to help determine what will float, based on your results.

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4. Examine each of the 8 numbered samples. Complete the table. First, use a scale to determine the mass of each sample. Second, using a meter stick, determine the volume of each sample. Then, using the mass and volume, compute the density. Finally, using your computed density and the data table at the bottom of this sheet, determine what each sample is.

Sample Number	Mass (g)	Volume (cm³)	Density (g/cm³)	What is the sample?
1				Aluminum
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

5. Create a graph with Microsoft Excel. Arrange the samples in order of increasing density. Annotate your chart to show which samples float in water.

6. Write a new rule to determine whether something floats.

Table of Densities (g/cm³⁾

Substance	Density	Substance	Density
Aluminum		Water
Bronze		Carbon
Brass		Red Oak
Copper		Lignum Vitae
Zinc
Steel		Polystyrene
		Teflon

Complete the table above using the internet. Search in yahoo for "densities"

Here is a good site: http://www.mcelwee.net/html/densities_of_various_materials.html