Buoyancy And Density Activity

Name ________________________________________ Date ____________________________ http://phet.colorado.edu/en/contributions/view/3350 Buoyancy and Density Activity

Directions: Go to the following website to use an interactive simulation to work with buoyancy and density.

http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/density-and-buoyancy/buoyancy_en.html

Procedure:
Getting Familiar
1. On the Intro screen, mess with the apparatus, changing the blocks, observing what happens when the mass, volume and densities are held constant.
2. Check and uncheck the boxes under “Show Forces” to see where they act.
Intro: Give a brief description of what the relationship is between mass, volume and density of each object and how it affects whether the object will sink or float.

Lab Setup
1. Click over to the Buoyancy Playground and begin the lab.
2. There are 5 different fluids to choose from in the lab and five different types of materials. (Styrofoam, wood, ice, brick and aluminum)
3. Use the table supplied to organize your work.
Lab Procedure: Part 1
1. In each of the scenarios below, determine first, by predicting, whether the object will sink or float. Use a mass of 4.5 kg.
2. Test each object once you have predicted and record the results.

Part 1: Write an “S” for sink or an “F” for float. Predictions first!!

Air
Gasoline
Olive Oil
Water
Honey

Pred.
Act.
Pred.
Act.
Pred.
Act.
Pred.
Act.
Pred.
Act.
Styrofoam

Wood

Ice

Brick

Aluminum

Lab Procedure: Part 2
1. For each of the objects, determine the density at which it sinks in kg/L.
2. Use a mass of 4.5 kg.
3. List this value in the table.

Air
Gasoline
Olive Oil
Water
Honey
Styrofoam

Wood

Ice

Brick

Aluminum

Lab Procedure: Part 3
1. In this part of the lab, determine the amount of buoyant force that is acting on each block of mass 4.5 kg.
2. Determine how you will find the amount of buoyant force or “buoyancy.” Perhaps try using the two scales given in