Download PDF Transcript (opens in new window)
The kids in Ms. Mariposa’s class are doing an experiment today. They will follow the steps of scientific inquiry to learn about density and find out if objects sink or float.
Ms. Mariposa explains to the students that everything around them is made up of tiny pieces called particles. Density is a way to measure how close together these pieces are. When the pieces are very close, the object is dense. When the pieces are farther apart, the object is less dense.
The students make a chart to keep track of their experiment. Rosie picks up a piece of wood and makes her first prediction. Do you think the wood will sink or float?
Enrique tests it by placing the wood in a container of water. It floats! Wood is less dense than water.
Oliver picks up a set of keys and marks his chart with his prediction. What do you think he predicted?
The keys sink to the bottom of the tub of water. The keys are denser than water.
Peter picks up a plastic water bottle and predicts it will float. It does.
Kiara wonders what will happen when the water bottle is filled with water. What do you think will happen?
It sinks! The bottle filled with water is denser than the bottle with no water in it.
The kids had a great time experimenting with density today. What objects will you use in your experiment?