During a unit on density, pupils ponder whether or not temperature affects this property. By carefully inserting blue cold water and yellow hot water into a room-temperature sample, they will see the answer. Make sure to have done the...

Different substances can have different densities, but can the same substance have different densities? Lesson explores the effect of temperature on the density of water. Extension idea connects the concept of how melting ice in lakes...

Demonstrate how ice floats on water and get the class thinking about why icebergs are so deceiving. Investigators then experiment with mixing water of the same temperature and water of different temperatures. Make sure to explain the...

Students conduct a series of investigations on the unique properties of water. For this general science lesson, students explain what causes water's surface tension. They explain the different stages in the water cycle.

The arctic seas contain currents that are both warm (with high salinity) and cold (relatively fresh water) that circulate throughout the year. Through discussion, a lab, and a web quest, participants explore the impacts of melting and...

Young scholars examine how a hot air balloon works. In this hot air balloon instructional activity, students do an experiment to test the effects of heat on density. Young scholars make their own hot air balloon and act out how nitrogen...

Fourth graders rank balls by size from smallest to largest and from lightest to heaviest and then by how much they made the water rise. They then discuss why certain balls make the water rise higher than do other balls.

Students investigate the effect of temperature on the density of air by putting an uncovered bottle in a bucket of hot water. Then they place a balloon over the mouth of the bottle. They repeat the procedure using ice water and explain...

Use the classic density demonstration of placing a cola, a clear soda, and a diet soda into a tank of water. Then let learners attempt to pour some of the soda into layers in a clear container. The procedure explains a thermocline, and...

Students experiment with the visocosity of corn syrup, mineral oil, vegetable oil, water, and honey. They research viscosity before beginning. Pupils draw the conclusion that the marble sinks more slowly in the liquids with greater...

Students comprehend that hot water rises up through cold water but cold water does not rixe in hot water. They comprehend that water at temperatures above 4oC decreases in density with increases in temperature. Students answer lab...

This open-ended boat building exercise is meant to be part of a three-instructional activity series on ships. Links to the other two lessons are included. This particular part is mostly a group lab activity in which they build a boat,...

There are three separate lessons within this resource that can be used together, or that can each stand alone. In the first, five simple activities allow junior scientists to examine the amazing properties of water. In the second, they...

Students listen as the teacher explains convection currents in the ocean. They experiment with finding a smoking match in the classroom with their eyes closed. Students discuss what might effect their ability to pinpoint the smoke...

Students use water, beakers, hot plates, paper dots, and goggles to participate in a hands on activity where they see how a convection current creates wind. In this convection current lesson plan, students participate in a hands on...

Young scholars determine the molar mass of a gas. For this molar mass of a gas lesson plan, students use the vapor density of an organic solvent to determine its molar mass. They vaporize the solvent and collect the vapor. Once it is...

Students consider the effects of temperature on water density. In this Earth Science lesson, students evaluate a demonstration of cold and hot water currents in a model. Students use two liter bottles and varied water temperatures with...

Students explore sinking and floating.  In this buoyancy instructional activity, students conduct an investigation dealing with regular and diet soda. Students drop various soda cans into water and then discuss why some float...

Students examine relationships and interactions between different types of water. They experiment with colored water of different temperature and salinity and discuss how the results relate to real ocean currents.

How does chemistry help deep-sea explorers? Part four of a five-part series of lessons from aboard the Okeanos Explorer introduces middle school scientists to technologies used in ocean exploration. Groups work together to analyze data...

Learners study how fluids of differing densities interact with one another, how densities of fluids can be changed, and how density currents transport and deposit tremendous amounts of sediment in lakes and in the ocean.

Students experiment with water density, temperature and salinity. In this water lesson, students observe how the coldest water sinks to the bottom of a test tube, and how saltwater sinks in comparison to freshwater.

Learners examine how circulation currents of the ocean. They use a tub of hot and cold water to demonstrate the currents. They discover how salinity and temperature of water affect its movement.

Students determine the density of metal shot by a graphical method using significant digits in making measurements and calculations. Students graph a seris of laboratory measurements and determine density from a mass verses volume graph.