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Density

Day 1: Densities of solids

An 8th grade STEM lesson

Jacqueline Kimzey

11/17/2023

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Notes for teachers

This lesson takes place in a classroom for one or more hours
Students may work in small groups of 2-4.
Emphasis is on the relationship between mass and volume on density
Facilitate student understanding of density as a physical and chemical property of matter
This is first lesson of two on density. Click here for Day 2.

List of Materials

Electronic device to participate in interactive links.
Container for water
Several objects with different masses and volume

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Arizona Science Standards

Science Standards:

8.P1U1.2: Obtain and evaluate information regarding how scientists identify substances based on unique physical and chemical properties.

Science and Engineering Practices:

ask questions and define problems
develop and use models
plan and carry out investigations
analyze and interpret data
use mathematical and computational thinking
construct explanations and design solutions
engage in argument from evidence
obtain, evaluate and communicate information

Arizona Math Standards

8.F.B: Use functions to model relationships between quantities.

8.F.B.4: Given a description of a situation, generate a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine the rate of change and initial value of the function from a description of a relationship or from two (x, y) values, including reading these from a table or a graph. Track how the values of the two quantities change together. Interpret the rate of change and initial value of a linear function in terms of the situation it models, its graph, or its table of values.

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Objectives:

Today we will explain how mass and volume affect the density of an object.

Today we will collaborate and communicate effectively with our peers to complete activities demonstrating density of objects.

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Agenda (50 min.)

Quick activity introducing density

Watch and listen to a video about density

Read online article on density

Identify densities in interactive simulator

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Driving Questions

Why don’t all objects sink in water? What causes some objects to float and others to sink in water?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Groups of 2; three maximum
Students will place several items in water and make observations about which ones float or sink
Make sure the items are not the same as in the simulator(styrofoam, wood, aluminum)
When finished, students will log in and begin the investigation.

Density investigation:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zrFK4V9Z23mcHbRkKL1c1u2fvoSX4y8Z32ng8ruNajY/edit?usp=sharing

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Assessment

Students will be submitting answers on document:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FTP068Nwl3QlFn5oDuZM2D_BuT5hOUzgcdoEuEzCx7A/edit?usp=sharing

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Differentiation

One way to differentiate in this lesson is to allow some groups to skip the simulator and provide the 5 items(rock can replace the brick) and test those in water. They will determine which ones will float or sink.

Another option is to provide a list of densities of several objects which they will identify as floating or sinking.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students who are successful in meeting the objectives correctly can create a model explaining how a naval carrier or a cruise ship can float.