So far we've learned about states of matter and particles at the atomic scale. What we learned so far tells us that solids are made up of rigid and vibrating molecules and liquids are less rigid and molecules are moving more freely. To understand what is happening on the atomic scale more deeply, let's take a look at water in solid and liquid form. Most solids sink in liquids.

Based on what you know already, do your best to draw a scientific model and explain your thinking.

(1) What happens to the mass of the iron wool (measured in grams)?

(2) What happens to the volume of the iron wool (measured in milliliters)?

What decides whether something will float?

fill a tub or sink with water and test some different items.

(1) Will aluminum foil float or sink? What about crumpled up?

(2) Will pepsi float or sink? What about diet pepsi?

(3) Will an orange float or sink? What about with the peel off?

(4) What patterns do you notice for the items that sink and the items that don't?

Play with the mass and volume sliders to see the effect these variables have on the cube's ability to float.

Does the mass of the object affect whether it sinks or floats? How so? Explain.

Does the volume of the object affect whether it sinks or floats? How so? Explain.

Why Does Ice Float In Water — Explained 🧭 

find the volume of water that it displaces.

measure all of the sides of the object and add them up.

find the mass of the object and divide by its area.

Objects that are less dense than water will float, objects that are more dense will sink.

Objects that are more dense than water will float, objects that are less dense will sink.

Objects that have more mass than the water in the container will sink, objects with less mass will float. 

In this section, write an explanation of 

what happens when you put mystery cube 3C in water

. Does it sink or float? Based on what you know, explain why using specific evidence from the explore activities and draw a molecular model of the cube in water that helps illustrate your explanation. Your model and explanation include an accurate description of how density affects objects and show an accurate molecular representation of the material and water that helps to illustrate your point. You correctly identify the material of the cube.

Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Oranges, Styrofoam, Aluminum Foil, Steel Wool

Learn about the properties mass, volume, and density in order to identify the material of a mystery cube and draw and explain an accurate scientific model of what happens to the cube in water.

Why Does Ice Float In Water?