Thursday, January 28, 2010

Sink or Float?

Today we discussed how a boat and different objects are able to float! Floating and sinking depends on an objects density. If an object is more dense than water, it sinks. If it is less dense than water, it floats. An object is more dense than water if it weighs more than the same amount (volume) of water! WOW - what great new vocabulary words we learned today!!
One of the experiments we did was we rolled a lump of clay into a ball and put it in the water? What happens? Then, we molded the clay into the shape of a boat, and put it back in the water. What happens? AWESOME!!
Why does a ship float? Steel has a higher density than water, so why does a steel shop float? (same idea as the clay experiment). The inside of the ship is hollow and contains air which is less dense than water.

2 comments:

Deborah Stewart said...

Holy cow - those are some serious vocabulary words! Great learning:)

Shalini said...

This is a brilliant learning. I have a three year old. She has been home taught all this while. She starts school in June. I have always been seeking interesting, innovative, high involvement and enriching ways of learning for her. And this one so far has been the best. Thank you!