22.05.2019
I am your density
Ever wondered why oil floats on water while syrup sinks to the bottom? It is all about density!
Year 8 students investigated the characteristics of several household products building a layered density tower to demonstrate their findings.
With density measured as mass ÷ volume students were able to examine that if the mass of something increases but the volume stays the same, then density goes up. Likewise, if the mass decreases but the volume stays the same, then density goes down. Lighter liquids (like vegetable oil) are less dense than heavier liquids (like honey) so they float on top of the heavier liquids.
It was enjoyable to watch our year 8s predict how the properties of each household item would interact with each other and see the eye opening discovery exhibited on their faces as they added each item to the cylinder.
Title: "I am your density" from the movie Back to the Future 1985