Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Matter's Physical Properties: Interactive Lesson

For Students 9th - 10th
In this interactive lesson, learn what the "physical properties" of matter are and how can they be measured and observed.
Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Moon Formation and Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
Students learn about the giant impact hypothesis for the Moon's formation, and how the Apollo Moon rocks have contributed to scientists' understanding of the Moon.
Handout
MadSci Network

Msn: What Regulates the Speed of Hydrogen Fusion?

For Students 6th - 8th
From the Mad Scientist Network web site. Using a question and answer format, this page describes the various types of fusion processes and the physical requirements needed for their initiation and sustenance. Factors affecting the rates...
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Salt Volcano

For Students 3rd - 8th
By making oil float on water--with the help of other ingredients--students can create a lava-lite effect.
Activity
Center of Science and Industry

Cosi Columbus: Buoyant Bubble [Pdf]

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn about density in this hands-on science experiment. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of what makes an object float or sink. [PDF]
Interactive
California State University

Csudh: Chemistry: Converting Densities

For Students 9th - 10th
An exercise in converting densities expressed in the metric system.
Activity
Scholastic

Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Lab: That Sinking Feeling

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Simple experiments dealing with water temperature and density that you can complete in the lab and at home.
Activity
University of California

Ucla K 6 Physics/astronomy: Mass, Weight, and Density

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This website provides explanations of mass, weight, and density with directions for building simple scales and balances. Provided as encouragement to teach these concepts to young children, it offers a good review for older students.
Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: I Am Your Density

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity you will: Model data using a linear equation; interpret the slope and intercept values from a linear model; identify a characteristic property of a substance; and examine the relationship between mass, volume, and density.
Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: You're So Dense Ti 83

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate the relationship between density of an object, its mass and its volume. They use mass and volume measurements to determine the density of pennies. They compare the density of pre-1983 and post-1984 pennies.
Interactive
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Ph Et: Interactive Simulations: Plate Tectonics

For Students 9th - 10th
Students studying plate tectonics will better understand its concepts with this virtual experiment that tests how plates move on the surface of the earth. Temperature, composition, and thickness of plates can be changed to create new...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mineral Density: Teaching Accuracy, Slope, and Percent Error

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore the meaning of density and use their math skills to graph mass/volume data, write an equation for a line, and interpret the slope of the line. Students also find the density of two unknown mineral samples and use those...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Exploring the Properties of Liquids, With an Emphasis on Density

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Students experiment with liquids; comparing and contrasting, and creating a density tower leading to a beginning understanding of density.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Rainbow Challenge Lab

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this inquiry lab activity, students will attempt to layer 6 different kinds of soda pops in a large test tube using their knowledge of density and other physical properties of liquids.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Density of Solid Objects

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this science inquiry, students investigate whether volume or density of objects determine the floating or sinking in water. Using a rock and a block of wood teachers engage students in the discussion of density, mass and volume.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Density: Determined by Using Mass and Volume of a Substance

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity, learners investigate the history of density, its uses, and applications. Students will generate and calculate data applying it to a graph. They will be looking at the relationship between mass and volume.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Density of a Penny

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students learn how to measure the volume and mass of an object and use that to compute density. They will then use that density to talk about experimental errors and accuracy of measurements.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Sinking and Floating Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
An experiment in density where colored water, both hot and cold, are poured into containers of water at room temperature. Students will observe that the warm water rises and the cold water sinks due to their different densities.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Solid and Liquid Density Investigation

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
For this activity, students investigate whether objects and liquids float or sink when placed in water. As they proceed, they will develop an understanding of what density is. Student handouts are provided.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Discovering Density Through Lava Lamps

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners first predict, then mix several liquids and then add salt to the mix, simulating a lava lamp.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Floating and Sinking: Density

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This investigation introduces the concepts of volume, mass, and density and how they interact. Students will make predictions of whether an object will float or sink after finding mass and volume of an object.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Water Activity

For Teachers K - 1st
Students investigate water by estimating how long it takes to freeze, then see if the ice cube will float in water, and eventually work with other items to see if they sink or float in water.
Activity
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: "Does It Float?" an Inquiry Based Activity Investigating Buoyancy

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an inquiry-based activity in which students will need to work together as a class to solve the following problem: they must construct a "boat" entirely out of modeling clay that is capable of supporting 150 grams of cargo without...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Charles' Law and Ivory Soap

For Teachers 9th - 10th
With this activity students will observe and record the properties of various types of bar soap. They will discover that due to the ingredients some soaps are denser than others, and ivory soap will actually float. Students will see a...