Name:!
Block:!
!
!
!
!
Date:
DENSITY LAB: To Float or Not To Float?
INTRODUCTION
You are stranded on the island, Fluidian, where a mad scientist resides. He captured you and
your friend during the night. As a form of torment, he demanded that you conduct a series of
experiments relating to density. Will your results rescue you from further demanding
experiments? Will your technique be your ticket off the island? Work through the activity and
we shall see…
PURPOSE
To observe which solids float and which sink in various liquids in order to determine the objects
relative densities
MATERIALS
Equipment/Solids
Materials/Solutions
•
•
4 Beakers
4 Rubber stopper
•
150 mL Rubbing
Alcohol
•
•
•
4 Wax Piece
4 Copper Metal
4 Cork
•
•
•
150 mL Water
150 mL Glycerol
150 mL Acetone
Name:!
Block:!
!
!
!
!
Date:
PROCEDURE
1. Work with a partner. One partner goes to the side table to pick up the Materials/
Solutions and the other partner goes to the front table to pick up the Equipment/solids
2. Add one rubber stopper to the rubbing alcohol beaker. Record whether it floats or sinks.
3. Add one rubber stopper to the water beaker. Record whether it floats or sinks.
4. Add one rubber stopper to the glycerol. Record whether it floats or sinks.
5. Add one rubber stopper to the acetone. Record whether it floats or sinks.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 for the wax pieces, copper metals, and corks.
7. Record all observations on the table below.
8. Rate the relative density of each solid (1 - most dense, 4 - least dense)
9. Answer the discussion questions and write the conclusion.
OBSERVATIONS
Float or sink?
Solid
Rubber
Stopper
Wax Piece
Copper Metal
Cork
In rubbing
alcohol
In water
In glycerol
In acetone
Relative
Density
Name:!
Block:!
!
!
!
!
Date:
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Summarize your results in a few sentences. Rank the solids from least dense to most
dense.
2. Explain how you can use density to predict whether or not a solid will float or sink.
3. Complete the following table:
Solid
Density (g/cm3)
Aluminum
2.7
Gold
19.3
Lead
11.34
CONCLUSION
Will it float or sink in mercury
(density = 13.6 g/cm3)