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In this activity, learners work in groups to determine the mass and volume of four samples: glass marbles, steel washers or nuts, pieces of pine wood, and pieces of PVC pipe. Learners then plot the data points on a large class graph of mass vs. volume to discover that data points for a particular material form a straight line, the slope of which gives the density of the material.
- Under 5 minutes
- 45 to 60 minutes
- $10 - $20 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 18
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Glass marbles
- Wood pieces (ordinary pine shelving wood)
- Steel washers or nuts
- PVC pieces
- Plastic bags
- Balances
- Graduated cylinders and/or appropriately calibrated beakers or measuring cups
- Water
- Large piece of graph paper for plotting graph data
- Markers
- Labels - 3/4 in diameter circular labels for four different colors
- Straightedge
- Regular graph paper (optional)
Subjects
-
Mathematics
- Algebra
-
Data Analysis and Probability
- Data Analysis
- Data Collection
- Data Representation
-
Measurement
- Units of Measurement
- Rate
- Representation
-
The Nature of Technology
-
The Design Process
- Problem Solving
-
The Design Process
-
Physical Sciences
-
Structure and Properties of Matter
- Mass and Weight
- Volume and Density
-
Structure and Properties of Matter
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
-
The Scientific Process
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- see color
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Rathjen, Don
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Exploratorium, 2009